September 05, 2017

Could this be the end for DACA?

Could this be the end for DACA?

President Trump has decided to end the program which grants work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as children, according to two sources close to the president.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was set up by President Obama.

The president is caught between two opposing camps in the West Wing prodding him to either scrap or salvage the program. His decision is likely to ignite a political firestorm, as well as fulfil one of his campaign promises.

In acknowledgment of the reservations held by many lawmakers, the White House plans to delay the enforcement of the president’s decision by six months, giving Congress a window to act, according to one White House official. This would delay the decision on the final fate of the 800,000 “Dreamers” covered by the program.

The president is expected to make a formal announcement later today.

“Legalization allows undocumented immigrants greater mobility, access to health and social services, and equal protection under the law. It can increase tax revenues, as more immigrants pay taxes or more taxes when incomes rise," writes Cynthia Bansak in her article Legalizing undocumented immigrants. "Comprehensive legislation can bring undocumented immigrants into the mainstream and deter new unauthorized immigration.”

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