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Oscar Medina
Ms. Kuroki
English 1A
6 May, 2015
DACA is not enough for Undocumented Immigrants
Undocumented immigrants, Aliens as they are called want to live the American Dream,
and be provided with the same benefits as a U.S citizen. Undocumented people who came at a
young age from another country are the ones who wish to be Americans because they do not
have memory back home. They only know the United States as their home because most
undocumented children were brought as toddlers or infants. In addition, these young immigrants
were brought by their parents to come to the United States for an education, jobs, health, and
other better opportunities. Although, parents want the best for their children because they do not
want their child to suffer like they did back in Mexico. For example, with no money, education,
food, and job because in Mexico is difficult to live. So therefore, these young immigrants want to
improve for a better life, and wish for one day to receive citizenship in the U.S.
Moreover, undocumented dreams were to have the same opportunities as an American
Citizen. For instance, employments, Social Security, State Identification, and Financial aid
because Dreamers felt nothing, but a shadow in the U.S. Young immigrants struggles and
sacrificed to be something in the U.S because they used fake documents all the time. All those
young immigrants who crossed the border illegally come to the U.S for a better life. Most of
them came as infants with their parents, which is why they cannot remember where they came
from or born. Parents brought their children because they did not want their child to suffer, and

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have no education back in Mexico. So consequently, all the memories that an undocumented
immigrant has is in the United States because they cannot go back into their country. If they
return back to Mexico and come back to the U.S then young immigrants are risking their life,
and could possibly go to jail.
Dream Act proposed by giving the opportunity to undocumented immigrants to not give
up with their education and get financial aid, for those who qualify. Because Undocumented
immigrants have dreams to go to college, but due to their immigration status it loses hope.
Students who will be able to meet the requirements are the ones, who graduated from high
school and been in the U.S since their sixteen birthday. If undocumented students come after
their sixteen birthday, then they will not be eligible for dream act. Also Undocumented students
will be able to obtain a temporary legal status, and then after finishing college or serving the
military it will turn out to be a permanent status.
In addition, many young immigrants suicides themselves, and did not want to live in this
country anymore because they had no hopes in the U.S. There are many educated young
immigrants, who have talent, and wish to have an American career, but their status will reject
them from applying for employments. Their only choice will work in hard labor, and all the hard
work they put into school will not take any effect. For example, there was this young immigrant
who finished high school in the U.S and went to college, and paid everything out of his own
pocket. This undocumented immigrant was pursing for engineering, but due to his status his
dream job was denied. This young immigrant believed that he had no chances to live in the U.S
because there were no open doors.
The dream Act was introduced in the year of 2001 for young immigrants who are willing
to get a higher education in the U.S after finishing high school, so undocumented immigrants can
go to a university. Dream act is a good step for undocumented students to continue with their

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education, and get help to pay for their school tuition. Dream Act is a law that failed to pass,
due to being voted down, and it means Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors
Act (Dream Act Opposing Viewpoints). Also segregates believe that with this law, it will not
help anything such as: border security or workplace environment. Dream act was rejected for the
years of 2001, 2010, 2011, and 2012. While it was up for a vote young immigrants were hoping
to make this law pass, and went all over the states to protest to make it reality, but nothing ever
happened.
Then Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and it was a law that passed in the
year of 2012. President Barack Obama believed that those young immigrants deserve a chance to
make this American dream come true, for those who came as a child and have a bright future.
These young women and men, who are Undocumented, deserve a citizenship in the United States
because they are dedicated to school, work hard, and are intelligent. Young immigrants come to
the U.S because they have college on their mind, and they think about their future in the U.S.
Illegal young immigrants think about their future to not live pay check by pay check, and have
good job. Dreamers will do whatever it takes to earn and reach to the right path to pursue for the
American Dream.
Furthermore, before DACA Undocumented youth could not work legally, enrolled in
college, or obtain a driver license. Ross Sherman Points out Jaqueline regrets that her
undocumented status has affected her possibilities of going to college and obtaining a good job
(4). It relates to many young immigrants, who want to get a higher education, but could not be
enrolled due to their background. It prohibited from many young immigrants dreams to come
true because they want to become something in the U.S. For instance, many undocumented
wished to be something in the criminal justice field, nursing, teaching, and other fields. However,
undocumented students believe that they work hard in school from kindergarten all the way

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through high school, and they should pursue for their life goals and dreams. Andrew J
acknowledges Higher education provides greater skills and increased knowledge to individuals,
who tend to develop an approach to life that benefits all of society (479). So therefore, why not
allow young immigrants to give them the opportunity to provide with state tuition, and be treated
equally like every U. S citizen student. Illegal young students need it the most because they had
come so far in the American education, and get nothing out of it because it will be a waste of
their time.
Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a path for undocumented citizenship,
and allows them to remain in the country without getting deported. Because there are many
students who finished with their education and still getting sent back to their country, but with
DACA students will not fear for deportation anymore. Its an opportunity for many young
immigrants to continue with their education after high school, legitimately work, and could
provide a social security (Robert Gonzales). This program was brought to the attention in 2012
when the law finally passed, and since then many young immigrants have taken the opportunity
to register.
In order to qualify the young immigrants must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D,
and arrived in the U.S before the age of 16. Also the undocumented must have a clean record,
which means not convicting a felony or a misdemeanor. Because having a bad record the
undocumented will have less chance to be approved for DACA, and could be disqualified or be
removed from the country. The only way that could help them, for those have a bad record is a
lawyer, but the young immigrant will have to pay more. Therefore, the cost of DACA for every
Undocumented immigrant is four-hundred and sixty five, and hiring a lawyer could cost up to a
thousand dollars.

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The steps to prepare for DACA is to gather up all of the documents since the first day the
undocumented got to the United States. Then after collecting all the evidence the undocumented
could register for DACA with a lawyer or someone professional. After completing the
application for DACA the undocumented will then mail it to U.S citizenship and immigration
services (UCIS). The UCIS will either approve it or denied and return it back to the immigrant,
and could take up to a month to get an answer back. If the Undocumented gets approved, then he
or she will get a background check along with fingerprints. After passing everything the
undocumented will receive his or her temporary card through the mail within another month. The
undocumented will now be a proud temporary citizen, and continue with the right path for a
citizenship.
Moreover, DACA is a temporary permit for two years without fear of deportation. So
therefore, every two years that it expire the young immigrants must renew it, or else there could
be consequences. Undocumented immigrants can easily be found because they will now have
some legal documents in the U.S. The benefit of having DACA it could allow young immigrants
to hold a state driver license, apply for a job, have a social security, get school tuition, and travel
anywhere in the U.S. For example, like traveling from California to New York because if young
immigrants go to Mexico they will not be allowed back to the country. Their only choice will be
to cross the border or stay in Mexico. In addition, it benefits young immigrants because they
could now dream for a job, build credit, and drive without hesitating to go to jail, for not carrying
a driver license. For example, if dreamers get pulled over by a police officer they will only be
cited like a U.S citizen, and not worry about going to jail, or get their vehicle towed. Also
undocumented can also apply for colleges, and be able to apply for scholarships. Additionally,

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DACA students will not be afraid of anything, and get discriminated by other people that they
could not continue with their education or get a job.
Jacqueline is an Undocumented immigrant who came to the U.S at the age of two along
with her parents and siblings. Jacqueline came from Mexico for better opportunities and job
openings, and she believes that all of her memories belong to the U.S because she does not
remember anything in her country. Also the only language she speaks is English with a Spanish
accent, and while she was in middle school her mind was to attend college. Ross Sherman claims
Undocumented students can attend college, but immigration laws would keep them from
working once they finished with their degrees (2). Jaqueline started doubting after finishing
with her degree because she than begun to question herself if it was worth her time she put into,
energy she wasted on, and all the money she spent on. However, it was all because she arrived
to the U.S illegally, and had no entitlement to authorized residency or an opening for official
employment (Ross Sherman). When Undocumented students are denied for employments or
other benefits in the U.S that they provide is sad such as: medical, credit cards, and food stamps.
Because they see that other students who have legal documents take it for granted, and do not
appreciate it for what they are given.
The solution is that there is still no hope if DACA continues temporary because illegal
students believe that it could be canceled, and they could be sent back to their home country.
Other young immigrants believe that if they extend the period of time, then it could cost more
money. Two years to renew their DACA goes by quickly, and many young immigrants cannot
save as much money, due to paying for their books, and working at a job where they pay at the
minimum wage. Other young immigrants are not working because they want to focus on their
education. Therefore, undocumented immigrants should not be stressing about renewing their
DACA every two years because they got school and work to be focusing on. Immigrant students

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fear of the expiration because it could cause bad things. For example, if it expires then
undocumented immigrants can get laid off from work, there driver license will expire, and young
immigrants will return back to a shadow. DACA has become an issue and it needs to be extended
for more years. For example if it extends to five years, then an undocumented student will finish
with school by that time, and could pay it off with their new profession. Having DACA
temporary loses anticipation because it could be canceled anytime or any day; so therefore, it
should become permanent for five years just like obtaining a visa or a U.S passport
If undocumented immigrants lose DACA then they will return back to their country,
where they have no memory. Their only choices would be to work hard labor, or go back to their
country. John Michael Rivera states Students should not be removed from the United States,
because they have great potential to contribute to our country and children should not be
punished for their parents mistakes (6). Most of undocumented immigrants are smart,
hardworking, and dedicated to their education. Some Undocumented students are even enrolled
in honor classes, athletes, class president, and aspiration teachers (Robert Gonzales). They are
also role models to their younger siblings, and wished their immigration status was not a
problem. It will be a waste of talent if DACA cancels because undocumented immigrants will
need this opportunity to provide for their family later in the future, and be successful in life.
In conclusion, DACA is a gift from god and a reward from president Obama because he
wants all students, including young illegal immigrants to be successful in the U.S. Especially, for
those young immigrants coming as toddlers to get an education in America and shine with a good
job. President Obama reintroduces DACA because he believes that they should not be any
discrimination against each other, and hatred. We are all human beings and should be treated
equally with the same opportunities and benefits. Finally, young immigrants are like Americans
because they know fluent English, and most of them have been enrolled in school since pre-

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school. It is just their background status that is affecting young immigrants to remain in this
country, and be successful because they will not be able to do something with illegal documents.

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Rivera, John. The Dream Act and Other Mexican (American) questions. Phi Kappa Phi Forum
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