The United States is often known as a land of immigrants, but the laws related to immigration have seen different policy approaches from opposing political parties. The legislation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and #DREAMers was introduced by the Obama administration in 2012. In order to qualify for the program, the applicant must have had:

• Resided continuously in the U.S. prior to June 15, 2012
• Must be at least 15 years old and younger than 31
• Have not committed a misdemeanor or felony
• Either attend high school or received a GED

DACA has protected many DREAMers from deportation from the United States. Under the law, these DREAMers can seek employment in the United States. Under the Trump administration, an attempt to repeal DACA was made which led to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily pausing any new applicants. After the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold DACA, the new application window reopened temporarily. In 2021, though, a federal judge in Texas ruled the program was illegal, which closed the doors for anyone not already enrolled in the program.

Some believe DACA should remain illegal, and that all immigrants should the follow immigration rules that go through proper legal channels.

Others believe DACA applications should be reopened and expanded, as immigrants who qualify as DREAMers add value to the U.S. culture and economy.

The question for debate is should DACA be illegal, or legal and expanded?