DACA Without a Roof
Deuteronomy 24:14 KJV — Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
Emotions are running high in the wake of the passing of the DACA deadline. March 5, 2018 was supposed to be the day that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program officially came to an end, terminating deportation protections for nearly 700,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. A Supreme Court ruling delayed that end date, possibly by as much as a year, but DACA enrollees still used March 5th to push Congress and the White House to pass a new law granting them permanent protection.
Across the country immigrants and their allies held marches, rallies and prayer vigils to make sure their plight remains in the spotlight. Because even though the Supreme Court bought them some time, that reprieve may be short-lived. Also on March 5th a federal judge in Maryland struck down a challenge to President Donald Trump’s decision to end protections for undocumented immigrants, stating that while he does not agree with Trump’s move, it is not his job to set immigration policy.
While many of the protests are focusing on Republican leaders in Congress and White House officials who have stalled efforts to pass a DACA solution, some protesters targeted Democrats as well for not pushing the issue hard enough. This is undoubtedly a hot topic issue for the mid-term election and with Congress and the White House at an impasse, the immigration and DACA issues are far from being resolved.
While most DACA enrollees can breathe easy for the time being, there are still thousands at risk of being deported because of the back-and-forth over the status of the program. A total of 13,090 DACA permits are set to expire in March, according to Citizenship and Immigration Services. Another 5,320 DACA permits expire in April and nearly 14,000 more in May.
That means tens of thousands of DACA enrollees may lose their DACA protections while they wait for their renewals to go through. And immigration advocates warn that they would be exposed to deportation if they are arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during that time.
Living in limbo is not a positive prospect for the so called “Dreamers” and the fear of families being torn apart is one of the reasons why protesters are demanding action now. Many debates are expected and prayers are needed for our elected leaders to find a solution so that the “Dreamers” can feel welcomed and happy to call the United States home.
Ephesians 2:18-19 KJV — For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
© 3/2018 tw-jams
