Talking Points on DACA

Updated: September 22, 2017

What is DACA?

  • On January 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would not deport certain undocumented youth who came to the United States as children. Under a directive from the DHS secretary, these youth may be granted a type of temporary permission to stay in the U.S. called “deferred action.” The Obama administration called this program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.[1]
  • Nearly 800,000 people have chosen to apply for and have received DACA. DACA recipients receive work authorization and a temporary reprieve from the fear of deportation, but not lawful status. Many of them have as a result found better-paying jobs, received driver’s licenses, continued their education, and made substantial contributions to their communities and the country.
  • On September 5, 2017 the Trump Administration announced the end to the DACA program, which will take effect on March 5, 2018 for all current DACA recipients.

What is the impact of DACA on our communities?

  • 73% of DACA recipients have a U.S. citizen sibling, spouse, or child
  • 26% of DACA recipients have a U.S. citizen child
  • Without DACA, 53% are less likely to report a crime they witnessed
  • Without DACA, 60% are less likely to report wage theft by their employer
  • In 2016 survey, 86% of DACA recipients were employed and 8% were in school full time. 6% started their own businesses.
  • These taxpaying youth added to state and federal revenue through sales taxes, income taxes, and title fees.
  • 46% are enrolled in schools all across the country.

Talking Points On Trump Ending DACA:

  • These are 800,000 brave young adults who are working or going to school, living their lives, and contributing to America. This is their home. Taking legal status away from them so Trump can deport them is immoral and wrong.
  • DACA works, those with DACA are Americans in all but paperwork, and it would be heartless and cruel to dash their futures. Clearly, the outpouring of support from business leaders, faith communities, educators, governors, mayors, Democrats and a growing number of Republicans has made it clear that the country stands with Dreamers. This undoubtedly made a difference in this WH decision.
  • It's not just morally wrong; it will hurt our economy. Nearly 700,000 DACA recipients are in our workforce and ending it will be massively disruptive not only to their lives but also to their employers, their coworkers, their patients, their employees.
  • Congress should step up and enact a permanent solution – a clean DREAM Act – without delay and without turning Dreamers or the DREAM Act into bargaining chips.

Asks to Congress & State Attorneys General:

  • Ask Congress to support a clean DREAM Act or broader immigration reform. Rescinding DACA without a legislative solution would be a devastating blow to our nation’s economy and nearly 800,000 DREAMers who live, study and work here. Words of support are not enough - Congress must do right by DREAMers and immigrant families, and pass a lasting solution that puts a path forward to legalization.
  • Tell Congress that the DREAM Act is a strong bi-partisan legislative solution that would allow young immigrants to continue living their American Dream with a path to citizenship. We urge Congress to do right by DREAMers and make the DREAM Act a reality for these young people who have contributed enormously to our communities and economy.
  • Remind your member of Congress and state Attorney General that DACA has strong bipartisan support. Public support for Dreamers is strong, even among Trump supporters. DACA is popular with the public and enjoys the support of employers, educators, community leaders, and elected officials from both parties. According to an April Morning Consult and Politico poll, 78% of American voters support giving Dreamers the chance to stay permanently in America, including 73% of Trump voters.
  • Tell Congress and your Attorney General: They must take a stand. We must stand up for Dreamers and insist that DACA be kept in place until Congress enacts a clean version of the DREAM Act or broader immigration reform. We cannot silently stand by as aggressive and cruel efforts are underway to deport millions of hardworking immigrants with deep ties to America.

Key Advocacy Dates:

  • September 25th: House of Representatives begins to collect signatures for a “discharge petition” on the Dream Act, which is a procedural tactic that allows a majority of the House (218 lawmakers) to force a vote on a bill.
  • October 5th: The last day DACA recipients can renew their status, leaving less than a month for 154,000 Dreamers to apply or be at risk for deportation. This week we need to make 800,000 calls to Congress for the 800,000 Dreamers who could lose DACA.
  • October 25: This will be a national day of action. We need to hit the streets to demonstrate our unity insupport of Dreamers and urge Congress to pass the Dream Act.

Press: ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to DACA Announcement:

CHICAGO (Sept. 4, 2017) – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's announcement about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

We are saddened today by the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided relief from deportation to young people who have grown up as members of our churches, as neighbors playing with our children, and enriching our communities. We pray today for those who will suffer undue repercussions due to the end of this program. As Lutherans, we regard the family as an indispensable social institution and stand firmly against policies that cause the separation of families.

As we lament this change in policy, we call on members of Congress to pass long-overdue legislation to protect young people brought to the U.S. as children, also known as Dreamers. Our churches, our schools, our communities and the country are enhanced by their presence and contributions. It is time that our immigration policy reflects their gifts to all of us.

God's peace,

Elizabeth A. Eaton
ELCA Presiding Bishop

Visit Here to Stay to learn about more actions you can take to protect immigrant youth.

[1] NILC, DACA,