Undocumented students from the Illinois State University are expressing anxiety primarily because of the uncertainty which is currently haunting them. Pres. Trump has expressed his desire to repeal the program for DREAMERS after he ended a policy of the Obama era which was known as the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals [DACA]. This program was allowing nearly 800,000 individuals who were brought into the country illegally to reside in the country.
The president wants Congress to address the status of these undocumented students but has put forward certain demands with the aim of fulfilling his campaign promises. However, he faces opposition from the Democrats that are against giving in to the demands being made. It is this uncertainty which is causing the anxiety among the undocumented students.
The uncertainty over DACA is causing the anxiety among immigrants
Many students are reporting they are barely in a position to get involved in any activities without keeping a constant watch over their shoulders. They fear law enforcement officials may be close by and decide to apprehend them for deportation regardless of the reasons.
Students have mentioned that law enforcement agencies have the freedom to pick them up even if they are involved in a no-fault accident simply because they do not hold the documents necessary.
Students who are victims of car accidents can also be victimized by the threat of deportation to their home country where they have never lived in. The students are appealing for help to address the legal challenges and the threat of deportation from the organizers of the Latin American And Latino which is a program for studies.
The organizers are holding an entire day workshop on Friday for this reason at the Marriott Conference Center and are sponsored by The Committee To Assist Undocumented Student Achievement [CAUSA].
Is the anxiety among students justified?
The Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals [DACA] was implemented by Pres. Obama by signing an Executive Order and without the approval of the Congress. DACA was implemented to protect undocumented immigrants that were brought into the country illegally at an early age.
However, the present situation is such that even migrants who arrived from Mexico legally with visas issued by the government are residing in the country despite their visas having expired some time ago.
These individuals are prime candidates for being reported to immigration and customs enforcement agencies. The present situation clearly indicates that many students were not brought into the country without their knowledge but just do not have valid documents to continue residing in the country.
Under the circumstances, questions may be raised about whether the anxiety being expressed by these undocumented students is really justified?
A divided government is not helping
Undocumented immigrants complaining of anxiety may just be one part of this discussion and especially for those who entered the country legally but are present without documents. However, the anxiousness has also been lent a hand by the administration that is bickering between the demands being made by the president who is a Republican which is often negated by the Democrats.
Pres. Trump has demanded the funding needed for the wall between the United States and Mexico. He had earlier maintained that Mexico would be made liable for the payments but has now changed his position to demand the funding from the taxpayers. The Democrats have refused to authorize the funding while maintaining that the program for DACA should not be repealed.
Both parties are adamant about their stand even as discussions are ongoing to pass legislation which will provide relief to undocumented immigrants.
The problem of illegal immigrants in the United States is far bigger than the undocumented immigrants that are anxious because of DACA. Reports had appeared earlier stating that the actual number of beneficiaries of DACA was just 680,000 but the figure of 800,000 clearly proves that 120,000 undocumented students are residing illegally within the United States.
They may express anxiety about their status and even attend programs conducted by CAUSA. However, their anxiety will continue without abatement until the administration can pass legislation to legalize their status. As things stand presently these immigrants have no options but to continue living with the problem they have by hoping that the administration will soon find a way to put an end to their anxiety.