In November 2014, President Obama used his executive authority to move over the gridlock that has reigned over Congress in past cycles. If approved, DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) and the expansion of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) would have benefited as many as 5 million of the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States who live, work, contribute economically, innovate, and culturally enrich this country. DAPA would have allowed undocumented parents who have been in the country since January 1, 2010 and have children who are United States citizens or legal permanent residents born on or before November 20, 2014 to be shielded from deportation. The extension on DACA would have granted deferred action from deportation and a work permit to undocumented immigrants brought as children before January 2010, as opposed to the current cap of June 15, 2007, and allowed those who are now older than 31 years old to qualify.
Even though it is not a permanent fix to our current broken immigration system, these programs would have alleviated the burden imposed on many families who fear the deportation of a loved one with repercussions that go far beyond the physical separation, including economic stress when a family’s source of income is suddenly gone and the breaking down of family bonds and structure.
The tie in the Supreme Court case United States v. Texas represents the divisiveness of our country as a whole, but it also signals a turning point. Although it leaves standing a previous Texas Federal District Court injunction (February 2015) to stop President Obama’s relief for undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, it redoubles our commitment and efforts to support our communities.
While we are disappointed by how the Supreme Court decision leaves any plans for immigration reform and the millions of people it affects in the shadows, we will continue to work and stand alongside our community nationally, and locally in Indiana. We will continue to speak against the anti-immigrant voices that try to drown ours out and we will continue in our indefatigable efforts to fight for more just laws that uphold the dignity and humanity of the members of our community.
#HereToStay
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Ana Paola Ruiz
IUYA Founding Member