As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House, many of the approximately 535,000 DACA recipients are filled with uncertainty. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, has been under constant legal scrutiny.
While the program has provided recipients with the ability to work, access healthcare, and drive legally, Trump’s stance on immigration—particularly his previous attempts to end DACA—has left recipients like Reyna Montoya and Pedro Gonzalez-Aboyte fearing for their futures. Montoya, who heads an advocacy organization in Arizona, expressed concern over Trump’s promises of mass deportations, which could include DACA recipients like herself.
The legal battle over DACA continues, with a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel set to rule on its legality. If the court affirms that DACA is illegal, the case could be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the Biden administration continues to defend the program, its ability to protect DACA recipients is limited.
Advocacy groups like United We Dream are preparing for the worst, urging Americans to offer sanctuary and advocating for strong protections against mass deportations. DACA recipients, unsure of their future under a second Trump term, are rushing to renew their permits as the legal and political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty.
