During the Obamas administration, the president established policies and programs to protect immigrants from deportation. The programs provided a ‘deferred action’ approach to immigrants, which involves temporary staying permits instead of deportation. However, the Trumps administration and Texas State were against the idea and fought to eliminate the programs and deport non-American citizens. This essay discusses the influence of Texas in abolishing DACA and the consequences of the abolishment to immigrant families.
The Primary Provision of DAPA/DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) are relief and protection programs for immigrants in the United States. The primary role of DACA is protecting immigrants who enter the United States while still young from deportation (Aguilar). DAPA offers relief and protection against deportation of young from non-American parents. The programs provide safety and comfort by giving temporary citizenship documentation to work, receive education, medication, and pay taxes.
Influence of Texas in DACA/DAPA Elimination
During the Trump administration, the programs were powerless and only functioned as state institutions because of court orders which dictated immigrant advocacy and organization through DACA. Since DACA/DAPA was only temporary relief approaches, they were bound to abolishment at any time. Among the states supporting Trump in eliminating the programs was Texas. Texas administration argues that DACA is illegal, and the president should issue an order of eliminating the program and stop further applications (Aguilar). Texas judges argue that supporting immigrants is costly and causes excess financial harm to Texas and other states. Since immigrants rely on the States relief programs for medication, education and security, States have an extra cost of catering to their needs and the needs of American citizens. The judge also states that the programs are illegal since the administration did not use the proper legal channels to eradicate the programs.
Ramifications
Deportation has a significant influence on the immigrant’s health and wellbeing physically and emotionally. Most immigrant families will face financial setbacks because Losing family members reduce the family’s income. Thus, the remaining family member will struggle to meet their needs, such as finding meals, health services, bill payments, and supporting the family’s lifestyle in general. Severe financial incapacitations might cause families to go hungry for days because the little that they earn goes to paying bills and general upkeep. Some families may lose housing due to financial strains, which adds to their suffering, particularly the children (Aguilar). Economic instability will lead many single parents to work overtime without proper childcare and leave their children behind.
Another consequence of the policy is a social disruption in the community. An adult will require extra working hours while children keep indoors for security measures, resulting in fewer social activities. Being socially unavailable affects individuals emotional and social wellbeing. Immigrant families face psychological traumas such as depression, stress and anxiety due to separation. When people live together for a long time, separation causes loneliness and sadness, resulting in depression and suicidal thoughts. Psychological traumas affect the general health of individuals as some may become alcoholics and drug dealers (Aguilar).
It also affects student school attendance and performance due to behavioral changes. Texas should provide temporary stay provisions to undocumented students until they finish their programs to have the necessary qualifications to gain employment.
Conclusion
Immigrants need government protection through relief programs such as DAPA/DACA. If the government fails to protect the plan, it will lead to the deportation of many civilians. Most immigrants have family and social ties in the country, and their deportation will cause breaking of the social relations, broken families, separation, single parenting (Nathan). Deportation has long term effects that involve restructuring local communities’ social structure and feelings of melancholy for immigrants who do not have families in their home countries. Individuals depending on relief programs become vulnerable when the governments become hostile towards programs that advocate for their wellbeing. Therefore, the administration and County States should establish policies that protect immigrants while offering smooth transitions during deportations.
Works Cited
Aguilar, Julián. “Joe Biden To Pause Border Wall Construction, Issue Protections For DACA Recipients And Roll Back Other Trump Immigration Policies“. The Texas Tribune, 2021. Web.
Nathan, Debbie. “Hidden Horrors of “Zero Tolerance” — Mass Trials and Children Taken From Their Parents“. The Intercept, 2021. Web.