# DACA

> Created administrative protection from deportation plus work authorization for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children ('Dreamers').

Barack Obama · Immigration · Major Decision · Jun 15, 2012
Official record: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-overview/

## What happened

Created administrative protection from deportation plus work authorization for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children ('Dreamers').

## How it happened

Established by a 2012 DHS memorandum after the DREAM Act stalled in Congress.

## Documented impact

- [positive / substantiated] Protected and enabled work for ~800,000 people. — More than 800,000 received protection and work permits; studies show gains in employment, earnings, education and home/car ownership.
- [negative / contested] Challenged as executive overreach and left recipients in legal limbo. — Critics called it an end-run around Congress; courts have repeatedly contested it, leaving recipients' status uncertain for years.

## Public opinion

Legal status for 'Dreamers'

Favor legal status: 74%

91% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans favor permanent legal status.

Source: Pew Research Center, 2020

## Sources

- [American Immigration Council: DACA overview](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-overview/)

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Canonical: https://eo.alanwizemann.com/eo/obama/daca