USCIS Deferred Action Announcement & DACA

Key Announcement (June 15, 2012)

• Secretary of Homeland Security: Declared certain individuals who came to the US as children could request deferred action for two years.
• Deferred Action: Prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action.
  • Provides work authorization, not lawful status.

DREAM Act

• Acronym: Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors.
• Proposal: Multi-phase process for undocumented minors leading to conditional residency and potential permanent residency.
• History:
  • First introduced on August 1, 2001, by Senators Dick Durbin and Oren Hatch.
  • Reintroduced multiple times but not passed.
• DACA Origin: Born from youth organizing, not solely Obama’s action.

DACA Program

• Purpose: Allowed minors who entered/remained illegally to receive a renewable two-year deferred action period.
• Eligibility: Provided work permits.
• Statistics: As of 2017, 800,000 individuals (Dreamers) enrolled.
• Vulnerability: Applicants shared personal info, making them traceable by the government.
• Political Climate:
  • Established under Obama in June 2012.
  • Faced opposition & changes under the Trump administration.

Interview with DACA Organizer

• Karime Anduhar:
  • Came from the Dominican Republic at age four.
  • Active at Rutgers University, president of Undocu Rutgers.
  • Faced potential deportation despite DACA status.
  • Received a notice to report to ICE.

Advocacy & Challenges

• Rutgers Organization: Founded to support undocumented students.
• Financial Strains: Limited access to financial aid and loans.
• Deportation Fear: Cases of DACA recipients being deported exist.

Political Reactions

• Trump's Statement: Mixed signals on DACA, mentioning "great heart" but also associating some with crime.
• Rutgers Response:
  • Declared a safe space for undocumented students.
  • Faculty support and mobilization for Anduhar.
  • Lack of direct administrative action, reliance on emails for support.

Current Actions and Support

• Karime's ICE Check-In:
  • Scheduled for Tuesday morning in Newark.
  • Supported by senators and congress members, including Cory Booker and Bob Menendez.
  • Anticipated no deportation due to political and community support.

Broader Context

• California's Support: Providing sanctuary for DACA students.
• Call for Reading: Article on Muslims and immigration.

These notes summarize the USCIS's deferred action announcement, the history and impact of the DREAM Act and DACA, personal stories of undocumented students, and the political and social support systems in place to aid them.