UFW Foundation Calls on Congress to Secure Permanent Solution for DACA Recipients and Eligible Youth on Program's 12th Anniversary

Washington, D.C. — June 15th marked the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program granted more than 800,000 qualifying undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as children protection from deportation and work authorization, with possible renewal every two years.

While the overwhelming majority of Americans support permanent legal status for immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, the long-term status of the program remains in doubt. In recent years, courts have continued to limit and shrink the program by halting new applications and only allowing renewals to those already in the program.

A 2024 report by the Coalition for the American Dream estimates that if DACA ends, the full cost of rescinding DACA could reach one trillion dollars. Additionally, since DACA's establishment, recipients have contributed approximately $140 billion to the U.S. economy through their spending power, alongside paying a combined total of approximately $40 billion in federal, payroll, state, and local taxes.

DACA recipient and UFW Foundation’s Senior Communications and Marketing Director Leydy Rangel issued the following statement in response to DACA’s anniversary:

“The passing of another anniversary affirms a critical point: the only permanent solution for DACA recipients, like me, our families, communities and other undocumented folks, is for Congress to pass legislation providing a pathway to citizenship. Creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers is common sense policy, and yet, despite all of the contributions that DACA recipients have made, Congress has yet to deliver permanent protections. With the looming threat over DACA's future, we grapple with the reality that we could face deportation to countries we barely know. It is unfathomable that after 12 years and numerous contributions, DACA recipients still risk losing everything and being sent back to unfamiliar countries.

Here at the UFW Foundation, we are committed to continuing to urge Congress to act with urgency in order to protect undocumented youth and our families. No more stalling, no more half measures, no more holding our lives hostage. We need permanent protections now!”

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The UFW Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, advocates for labor rights and protections for farm workers across the U.S. and provides educational outreach and critical services such as serving as the largest provider of immigration legal services to low-income rural California communities. For more information, visit https: www.ufwfoundation.org.