Letter: As deadline looms, we should learn about DACA

From: Billy Ray

Columbus

Another deadline is looming, and in the meantime nothing has been done to resolve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) issue.

There is so much false information about the program, which makes it difficult to know what side you should be on. As with everything in life, educating ourselves should come first.

One of the biggest misconceptions is about DACA and U.S. citizenship. I have read so many times things like, “If they have been here so many years, then why have they not become U.S. citizens yet?” Please learn a bit about DACA by continuing to read.

What did it take to gain DACA status? The following information was listed on the Homeland Security website (uscis.gov/archive/frequently-asked-questions) as of Feb. 10.

You may request consideration of DACA if you:

  • Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
  • Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday
  • Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
  • Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS
  • Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012, meaning that you never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained prior to June 15, 2012, or had expired as of June 15, 2012
  • Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
  • Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

And after all that, noted on the same website under Question 68 you will find the following:

Q68: Does deferred action provide me with a path to permanent resident status or citizenship?

A68: No. Deferred action is a form of prosecutorial discretion that does not confer lawful permanent resident status or a path to citizenship. Only the Congress, acting through its legislative authority, can confer these rights.

In the end, these are people who have adhered to the rules and want to live in this country. They would like nothing better than become U.S. citizens, but do not have the option to do so.