By: Ashmar Mandou

In honor of the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) this past Monday, a policy which protects immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children from being deported, Illinois lawmakers held an oversight hearing on the urgency to protect DACA.

“DACA was born out of broad, effective organizing by a coalition of communities, advocates, labor and religious leaders that built momentum and public support for Dreamers. When Senate Republicans refused to support the Dream Act, President Obama implemented DACA. Since then, the program has been under relentless assault by Republicans,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04).

U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and Danny Davis, and Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez were all in attendance at the congressional field hearing at Wright College Humboldt Park to discuss the need to deliver, protect, and expand pathways to citizenship for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants. “It is more imperative than ever that Congress finally affirm that our immigrant families are seen, valued, and integral to our communities. We must win a path to citizenship. That is why I am proud to co-lead the Dream and Promise Act, which will provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders. Because home is here, and each of our immigrant neighbors is part of the fabric of our nation,” said Congresswoman Ramirez.

 “We need a pathway to citizenship, and we need it immediately. No one should have to prove their worth to live a safe and dignified life. I am grateful to our Congress people and local elected who are working so hard to ensure that we do not continue to put our communities in this limbo. We must win comprehensive reform, and we must also push for protections for our Black and Brown communities that are also facing attacks from this federal government,” said Commissioner Vázquez.

Officials also heard testimony from people directly impacted by the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including DACA recipient and higher education worker Melanny, pseudo name to protect identity. “DACA opened doors, but it was never a pathway to citizenship. Fourteen years later, immigrant communities are still waiting for the permanent solution we were promised,” said Melanny. Fellow DACA recipient and healthcare worker, Sam Lee, pseudo name to protect identity, stated, “Immigrants work in hospitals, schools, childcare, restaurants, and many other places that are essential to our society and economy. But we are more than just our labor and the taxes we pay – we build community and support people where systems fail.”

Those enrolled in the Obama-era DACA program came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visas as children. They were granted temporary work permits and deportation protections after passing background checks and meeting several requirements, including coming to the U.S. before June 2007, not having serious criminal histories and graduating from an American high school or serving in the military. Organizers of the hearing said that DACA protections have come under attack by the Trump administration, pointing to an April decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals that determined DACA status alone is not enough to stop deportation.

Photo Credit: Office of Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez