Struggles of Living DACAmented

Struggles of Living DACAmented

Undocumented students do not know any other home than the United States. Young undocumented immigrants are confronted with the dilemma of not having a sense of belonging in the United States nor in their home countries; they are neither from here nor from the other side.

Isael is a 19-year-old Mexican-American man who came to the United States at the age of nine with his family. After going through many economic hardships in the farming community where he was born, his family decided to immigrate to the United States without a visa. By age 12, Isael started working as a gardener.

Isael’s parents wanted a better life for their son. A life that consists of higher education and an opportunity to achieve financial stability. Due to his and his parents’ hard work, patience, and grit, Isael got his “better” life. He is a student at Pasadena City College majoring in business management and working as an electrician to put himself through school.

You interact with people like Isael all day long—they are working in your homes and at the restaurants you frequent. They care for your children and your grandchildren. They wash your cars. And in another generation, like the wave of Mexican immigrants who came before them, they will be your lawyers, doctors, social workers and investment bankers. For now, however, Isael struggles. He is undocumented and is one of the more than 750,000 young immigrants who are protected under DACA—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

It is estimated that since the implementation of DACA, in 2012, 50,000-75,000 individuals have entered the workforce and about 25,000 have obtained their GED. Undocumented students are fully integrated to the American culture. They are productive members of society. They pay taxes.

Approximately 61% of DACA recipients have obtained a new job have opened bank accounts, 38% have credit cards and 61% have obtained driver licenses, which broaden their job and economic opportunities. DACAmented students are making every effort to contribute to the economy; they are not here to take jobs or opportunities.

Data shows that about three-quarters or 77% of unauthorized immigrants have received protection through DACA with 60% being Mexicans. In 2014, California was the leading state with more than 216,000 approved DACA applications, followed by Texas and Illinois. Undocumented students face difficult circumstances every day when it comes to funding their education or when searching for a well-paying job.

Undocumented students face bureaucratic challenges in terms of accessing financial aid because institutions require them to provide a social security number even when they don’t have one or if they have it specifically states “only valid with employment card”. It is often the case that undocumented students take more time to complete their degrees and certificates because they lack the resources to integrate into the school system that would offer them guidance and counseling.

Fortunately, in 2011, the California legislature passed two bills that would make college more accessible and affordable to undocumented students. Assembly Bill 130 allows undocumented students to apply for private scholarships eliminating the requirement of a social security number. Assembly Bill 131, on other hand, allows undocumented students to apply for state financial aid in California’s public colleges and universities.

Assembly Bills 130 and 131 provide undocumented students the economic and educational resources they need to continue with their education. The passage of these two bills has provided students with the opportunities to advance in their future careers and create pathways for others who like them have struggled.

Even though California offers financial aid for undocumented students, since the election of President Trump, the number of applicants has declined. It was reported that between January and March, the California Dream Act applications were down 60% compared to the same period last year. For Instance, from January through March only about 17,819 applications were filed compared to 2016 when 46,731 applications were submitted.

If at one point DACA offered relief from deportation, today the future of thousand hard working individuals remain uncertain. The election of Donald Trump has sparked the fear of being deported because with the new administration DACA can be terminated at any point. Living in California has made it easier for Isael to continue with his education, especially after the passage of AB 130 and 131. Isael considers himself an American just like his U.S. born siblings and he should be deserving of every opportunity.

While Isael is protected by DACA, his parents are not and fear being deported. We, the people, should make everything possible for individuals like Isael and his family to achieve the American Dream.