Another chapter in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legislation sage was written this last week when federal district court judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled that the Department of Homeland Security must again start accepting and processing DACA applications. There are nearly 700,000 undocumented immigrants who work, go to school, and have aspirations that are in-line with the most meritocratic vision of success and this adjudication reinforces their protective legal shield against deportation and arrest. Beginning in 2012, DACA has been challenged repeatedly and will likely continue to be challenged moving forward. Living in legal limbo has profoundly negative effects on one’s mental, physical, and mental well-being. We examine what is means to be an American today through the eyes of those struggling to obtain citizenship. Specifically, we examine the case of DACA through the lens of social construction of illegality in the United States and social justice movements.

Watch this:
What ‘Dreamers’ Gained From DACA, and Stand to Lose (Links to an external site.)
What ‘Dreamers’ Gained From DACA, and Stand to Lose

1. Assess pros and cons for creating a pathway to citizenship for the 700,000 DACA recipients in the United States.

2. Practice good critical thinking and thoughtful online responding: Consider which side you agree with and WHY. What was your thought process? Find evidence to support the side of the argument you agree with more (e.g., book chapters, websites, journal articles, TED talks, videos, etc.), but make sure to mention the other side of the argument.

3. Your response should be about 150 words (no max) and you should reply to at least one other person.