DACA and the Sacrificial Lambs

{1:30 minutes to read} The reported discussions between President Trump and the Democratic leadership to extend protection for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients was welcome news but hardly cause for celebration. As always, the devil is in the details.

Most importantly, it leaves unanswered the issue of the other 10 million undocumented immigrants. Are they to be sacrificed to obtain status for Dreamers?

In addition, we need to understand exactly what status the Dreamers will receive under the proposed legislation. Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that Dreamers should not get “amnesty” or a “path to citizenship.” What then will they receive?

• Will it just be an indefinite extension of the current quasi-legal status that will never lead to anything more?
• Will it be more like Temporary Protected Status that at least opens the possibility of permanent residency in the future?
• Will it be a path to a new form of permanent residency that will never lead to citizenship or will it be an eventual path to citizenship?

Finally, what happens to the parents and spouses of Dreamers? Are they to be sacrificed as well?

Optimism is nice, but details are critical.

Mitchell C. Zwaik Zwaik, Gilbert & Associates, P.C. 5014 Express Drive South Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 www.zwaik.com