ONCE AN IMMIGRANT, ALWAYS A DREAMER: Refutation

President Trump has made numerous headlines for demanding the building of the border wall if the American people do not want to see DACA dismantled. Although DACA is an effective plan for DREAMERS to live, work, and study in the U.S., the cost of the border wall dividing Mexico and the U.S. would cost an astounding $25 billion U.S. dollars. According to the BBC News article, “Daca Dreamers: What is this immigration debate all about?” , Democrats and moderate Republicans want to see DACA unharmed and DREAMERS safe from deportation. On the other hand, right-wing supporters are “infuriated by the suggestion that he [President Trump] could ultimately protect DACA recipients” (BBC, 2018). 

I disagree with the stance that right-wing conservatives maintain on the DACA legislation, created during President Obama’s presidency, for numerous reasons. DACA recipients are some of the most deserving candidates for such a legislation as deferred action, due to the fact that most arrived in the U.S. when they were children. Going to school, work, and joining the military make DREAMERS quite assimilated to U.S. culture, making the U.S. their home. Deporting DACA recipients not only disturbs their school and work careers but also completely separates families, creating emotional and, many times, financial turmoil.

The bargain that President Trump maintains of only allowing DACA to remain in legislation if the $25 billion dollar wall is built too is not only contradictory to the values of DACA but also creates immense complexity. Not only are Democrats against the building of the wall, dividing Mexico and the U.S., but the cost of building the wall will have dramatic financial consequences on the American taxpayer, in addition to reducing funding in other sectors. Building the border wall is definitely not the right decision to move this country forward, but maintaining DACA and the hope of DREAMERS throughout the nation is!