Protect DACA, American Dream

Feb. 13, 2009 was one of the most important days in my life. It’s the day I became an American citizen. I celebrate my “American birthday” every year to commemorate this special day. It’s an annual reminder that I’m proud to be Brazilian by birth and American by choice.

I am still proud to be an American, but increasingly concerned about the future of our country and the lives of the immigrants living here, especially those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Since the election of President Donald Trump, there has been an increase in divisive rhetoric and discriminatory policies under the cloak of national security.

The Trump administration and Congress have not made progress on this issue. Instead, they are using immigration policies as wedge issues to divide voters and incite fear. Currently, individuals under DACA have no certainty for their future because the president wants to fund the construction of a wall on our southern border that will simply act as a band-aid on the issue of national security.

In the past year, there has been an increase in the number of stories about deportations. The Trump administration would have you believe that they are deporting violent criminals, but that simply isn’t the case. Instead, recent deportations have torn families apart and created more fear among immigrants.

This year, I’ll be contacting my representatives in Congress to ask them to pass immigration reform and protect DACA. I encourage readers to do the same. Let’s remember that America is a country founded by immigrants, and that if we truly want to make America great again we must have federal policies that give individuals a chance to live their American Dream.

Leo Almeida Canal Winchester