“Deporting young undocumented immigrants brought to our country by their parents would do nothing to strengthen our nation. These individuals have created lives and laid down roots in our communities,” said Glen Krebs, Immigration Attorney at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP. “Their various talents and hard work help boost our local and national economies. Eliminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is not the solution our country needs in its steps towards immigration reform.”
Let's break it down
What is DACA?
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
- Obama created in June 2012
- To be eligible, illegal immigrants must have entered the United States before their 16th birthday and prior to June 2007, be currently in school, a high school graduate or be honorably discharged from the military, be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, and not have been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor or three other misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security.”
- Must pay almost $500 to renew every 2 years
- Does it provide eligibility for federal welfare or student aid
- DACA recipients pay taxes, serve in the military, and some are first responders
Effect on Economy
- Most economists agree that DACA benefits the US economy and ending it would hurt the economy
- A study by the conservative CATO institute projected that ending the program immediately would cost the US $283 billion over a decade
- The US has already invested in educating these individuals and deporting them when they are now contributing to the economy is wasting our investment
There are about 3100 DACA recipients in Kentucky. Ending DACA would cost Kentucky $155 million per year in GDP. 6000 DACA eligible individuals in Kentucky contribute $9 million per year in taxes. In fact, If everyone who was eligible was enrolled it would be $12 million (because individuals who can work legally earn higher wages)
There is a labor shortage in Kentucky for entry and mid-level workers, and ending DACA would make it worse. One employer says DACA recipients are more likely to pass a drug test than others. Read more HERE
Many Kentucky universities (including U of L) had released statements supporting DACA. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer supports DACA.
Kentucky DACA stories
College student harassed http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Student-Targeted-DACA-Student-Kentucky--444244063.html
Mother mistakenly detained for a week by ICE
DACA activist
DACA recipient’s journey
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2017/09/05/louisville-dreamer-daca-repeal/632154001/
Resources
Help with paying your DACA renewal fee (or to contribute to the fund)
Educational resources for DACA recipients:
La Casita Center
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