By: Barbara Clinton and Aineth Murguia

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) allows some individuals, often called Dreamers, who were brought to the U.S. as children to receive a renewable period of protection from deportation and a work permit in the U.S.   

The big picture

Since 2012, DACA has been good for Dreamers and good for the U.S. DACA recipients and their children are less likely to live in poverty than other undocumented families. They tend to have higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs that create opportunities for other workers too[1].  

Yet in 2017, President Trump launched the first of many attempts to end DACA. His executive order, followed by years of lawsuits, appeals, injunctions, and failed Congressional attempts, put thousands of DACA Dreamers into an emotional hurricane, worsened by recent changes in fees and renewal procedures which make life as a  DACA recipient even more unstable. 

DACA renewal cost doubles

Aineth Murguia, TNJFON’s Legal Advocate, explains that the administration’s latest requirement, mandating DACA renewals twice as often as in the past, essentially doubles the cost of renewals, from $495 every two years to $495 each year.

Green cards, travel documents, and work permits are also set to become more expensive and more difficult for immigrants to secure, at a time when employment for immigrants, and all Americans, is shakier than ever. 

Aineth’s story

Aineth understands this instability only too well. Applying to college, she learned that she could not seek financial aid because she was undocumented. Her father, a U.S citizen, offered to sponsor her and she immediately applied for a green card.

When her application was denied the family used its scarce resources for a series of lawyers who handled the costly appeals for Aineth and her sisters. Not knowing what her future held, Aineth offered to return to Mexico, where she had not lived since she was 2 years old, to continue her education.

“Absolutely not” said her parents. Used to managing hard things, they continued the effort to secure her green card and ultimately succeeded.

Now having earned a college degree and a professional position, Aineth notices how fortunate she is to eventually have obtained U.S. citizenship.

Thrilled to be voting for the first time in a presidential election this week, she adds that she can renew her driver’s license for about $16 every eight years instead of the $495 annual renewal charge DACA recipients have to pay to keep their status and then be able to renew their driver’s license.

Today’s fear and uncertainty

But many undocumented young people are not as fortunate as Aineth.  As she assists young people without permanent immigration status, they tell her that they fear the results of the upcoming election.

Aware that the president has issued more than 400 Executive Orders related to immigration, they fear that his re-election could lead to a complete shutdown of the U.S. Immigration Service, leaving their future in limbo. Rumors and stories circulate among people whose families have endured years of oppression and fear its return.  

How TNJFON - and you - can help

TNJFON’s job, which we do with energy and commitment, is to help Aineth and the rest of the legal staff help others move through a complicated, expensive, and sometimes punitive immigration system to a safe and happy conclusion. You can be part of this. It feels good. It might be one of the most important things you do this month.  Please help.

1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "The Economic Cost of Repealing DACA | Econofact". Econofact. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017..

2.     ^ Davidson, Paul (September 8, 2017). "Analysts Say Ending DACA would Hurt Economy, Hiring". USA Today. PressReader. Retrieved March 9, 2018.