DACA immigration policy good for immigrants, Texas

My name is Alina, and I am a DREAM Act student. I was born in Mexico City and I moved to Texas with my parents and my sister when I was 9. Like many immigrants, my family and I overstayed our visas and were since labeled “illegal,” even though my sister and I were raised as Americans. Recently I was able to obtain a work permit through a legislation called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. DACA is a new immigration policy through which an estimated 2 million of young undocumented Americans are eligible for temporary deportation deferral.

The requirements to apply for DACA are that the applicants:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.

Came to the United States before reaching their 16th birthday.

Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time.

Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, had no lawful status on June 15, 2012.

Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GED certificate.

Are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.

Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

The primary ways in which DACA has affected me are benefits such as temporary relief of deportation, a work permit, a Social Security number, and, in Texas, a driver’s license. Other benefits to receiving DACA include a higher ease of access to apply for personal banking and checking accounts, debit or credit cards, and certain loans. Through DACA, I have been able to integrate more fully into our American economy by holding my first full-time job as a bilingual behavioral health clinician.

Many other DREAMers like me have been able to become a bigger part of Texas’ economy through DACA, and some have even had the opportunity for the first time to start, continue, or finish their higher education as Texas residents. Roughly, half of the estimated 2 million undocumented immigrants in Texas are eligible for DACA and — by paying even more taxes now that they have joined the work force formally — they help the state cumulative increase of $38 billion, thus expanding the economic status of the state. Furthermore, as a mental health professional, I believe that the feeling of integration and acceptance into a society to which one has loyalty is one of not only relief, but of higher self-esteem and self-appreciation. From my personal perspective, being able to contribute to the country that I call home. Feeling less afraid of being separated from my family has had an extremely positive psychological impact on my life.

As a conservative Texan, is important to me that my country and my state remain aware of the positive impact that DACA has had on the nation and on the Texas economy. I would especially like for my state to continue communication with Mexico as I believe this relationship can be key for a greater future for both America and Mexico.

Under DACA, I recently applied for and received a temporary permit to visit my country of birth. This gave me the opportunity through my consulate in San Antonio to visit my birth city and see my family for the first time in more than a decade. I felt very fortunate to see my family; however, I felt a disconnect to my country of birth because for many years I have been told by a part of the American society that I do not belong here. Yet when I went to Mexico, I was also perceived and treated as someone who did not belong there — a tourist. After the trip I had some reflection time and my thoughts transitioned from “I am neither from here nor from there” towards “Yes, I am from here and from there.”

However necessary and positively impactful DACA has been thus far to the American economy and society, there are many other Americans who are undocumented, and it also holds those who do qualify for it under severe limitations. DACA recipients do not meet criteria to hold certain government-related jobs or even enlist in the military. The ideal immigration reform is one that has DACA as a solid first step and then builds towards a comprehensive coverage for all those who are in need, so that we can all continue to contribute even more to the nation that has given us so much and that we love so much.