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The DACA
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals:
Progress for Undocumented Students in the United States

AP English Language and Composition

On June 15, 2012, President Barak Obama gave a brief speech on a new Department of Homeland Security Immigration policy. This new policy will benefit thousands of undocumented students living here in the United States that were brought by their parents since they were young children from their native home. A policy called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. As President Obama mentioned in his speech about what undocumented students are, he mentioned part of a sentence that got to me. President Obama stated the following, “They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one, on paper” (Obama). This is very true in my point of view, as I have realized exactly just that growing up. As a young girl, I was never told whether or not I was documented or not; whether I was a citizen of where I was growing up or I wasn’t. I was never worried about my legal status in the United States. My main focus has always been school and progressing to be a well-educated citizen that is part of the United States. That’s how I see myself as, as of today; a citizen of the United States, perhaps not in paper, but in heart. This is the place where I have been raised since the age of two, till today at the age of 17 even knowing that I am undocumented. I love the fact knowing I’m Mexican and will always be by my culture and by a large majority of my family, but that’s not the place I know by heart or grew up. That is not the country that has helped my progress as an individual. It is here in the United States where my hopes and dreams are at for a better future. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals will open job opportunities for undocumented students, avoid being deported back to their native country for at least two years, and give them a sense of hope to apply for



Cited: Fitz, Marshall, Patrick Oakford, and Ann Garcia. "The Early Success of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Policy." Center for American Progress. 26 Oct 2012. Reading. Obama, Barak. "President Obama Speaks on Department of Homeland Security Immigration Announcement." Department of Homeland Security Immigration Announcement. Washington D.C.. 15 Jun 2012. Speech. "Supporting undocumented students in their pursuit of college, career and citizenship." Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Curran & Berger Law Frim. 16 Dec 2012. Reading

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