Editorial

Immigration in the United States, on one side are hardworking immigrants and on the other side are politicians who wrongly claim that these immigrants harm the economic interests of native-born Americans (Gessen, 2017). The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was designed to reward achievement, to qualify you must be in high school or hold a high school diploma or equivalent, or have been honorably discharged from armed forces (Gessen, 2017). The USA Act of 2018 provides permanent residency status for alien’s meeting specific requirements, including having entered the United States when younger than 18 years old and residing in the United States since December 31, 2013 (115^th Congress, 2018). Those who have not been able or lucky to meet those requirements were apparently deemed unworthy of staying in the country where they had lived since they were children.

Arguments around immigration begin with America is a land of immigrants. This is not only an insult to the variety of descendants who were brought to this land against their will but also constitutes deception. It is one thing for individuals to base their sense of self-worth on their contribution to the American economy and quite another to claim that American values immigrants because of this contribution. America should not make decisions about immigrants based on whether they benefit the economy. Instead decisions should be based on safe haven to the persecuted and giving jobs to the well qualified (Gessen, 2017).

If we continue to debate immigration in terms of whether it benefits the economy politicians will begin to divide people into two categories: ‘valuable’ and ‘illegal.’ When countries make people illegal, the world comes apart, when we agree to talk about people as cogs we lose our humanity (Gessen, 2017).

It’s saddening that the immigration population feels they must accept anything that is established via the Dream Act and The USA Act, with no voice of their own. “I accept anything that the government post as a law and if I’m forced to leave then I don’t have a choice, I will just go back to my country and face my fate” (Ibrahim, Personal Communication, 2018).

It is estimated that there are 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in our country (Forenza, Mendonca, 2016). Vowing to deport all of them is an unreasonable approach—these people are working in our communities, buying goods to survive off of, and are already being members of our society. If we ignore the emotional ramifications of deporting millions, it would be reasonable to assume that there will be drastic economic consequences as well. Instead, we can implement policies such as the Dream Act because these policies allow undocumented individuals to stay in the country to work, go to school, enter the armed forces, or be caregivers (115th Congress, 2018). These policies also reduce the high school dropout rate and increase college enrollments because students will not fear being exposed to the government and getting deported (Forenza, Mendonca, 2016).

The important component to keep in mind when considering policies such as the Dream Act is the fact that it does not automatically grant legal status to undocumented immigrants; it provides a path for them to lawfully gain their citizenship. This is a compromise that gives these immigrants the opportunity to be here legally, as well as ensure safety that opponents have been concerned about. Opponents have expressed that they are worried that undocumented immigrants will bring gang violence into our country. While this notion is a xenophobic generalization, those opposed to this immigration should find solace in the fact that immigrants must demonstrate that they do not have a criminal history for several years in addition to their work/education requirements. Policies such as the Dream Act are a reasonable approach to immigration because it takes many views into consideration.

On Easter, President Trump tweeted that there would be “NO MORE DACA DEAL!” He has stated he would only accept Dreamers if a wall between the US and Mexico is built (Rucker, Weigel, 2018). While policies such as the Dream Act provide immigration compromise, President Trump’s statements only encourage more of a divide in our country. Our country cannot continue to divide itself.

The repeal of DACA was a gross violation of all our nation stands for. These children have grown up in the United States, appreciating the same privileges we take for granted daily. They deserve citizenship in a nation which has become their own. To attempt to return them to a country they do not know would not just be morally and ethically irresponsible, but a violation of basic human rights.