What NC candidates say Congress should do about DACA and documented dreamers
READ MORE
Living in legal limbo
It’s been 10 years since President Barack Obama signed the DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) executive order on June 15, 2012. Most of the young applicants are now adults, paying bills and taxes, many with children of their own. For some, the end of their legal protection is getting closer. And with decades of legislation aimed at this group on state and federal books, they now look to Congress for guidance on what comes next.
Expand All
Immigrants who were brought as children to NC still look to Congress for change
‘Trying to buy time.’ They’ve grown up here, but their visas are about to run out
What NC candidates say Congress should do about DACA and documented dreamers
‘I’m more than just a number’: Raleigh ‘Dreamer’ Jocelyn Casanova on a decade of DACA
A timeline of state and federal laws, challenges to block and help DACA holders
For the hundreds of thousands of people who have been brought to the United States as children and raised here, their futures have been filled with uncertainty.
People who came here without legal authorization, and who would otherwise be at risk of deportation, have been protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program launched by the Obama administration in June 2012. As DACA turns 10 this month, however, there remain a lot of questions about its future, amid an ongoing legal challenge and a lack of bipartisan action on Capitol Hill.
Similarly, the children of temporary work visa holders, who came here with legal authorization face deadlines to obtain their own visas before their legal status expires on their 21st birthdays.
To give North Carolinians an idea of what the people seeking their votes support doing to address each issue, The News & Observer asked U.S. House candidates in the Triangle (those running in the 2nd, 4th and 13th districts), as well as the candidates vying for an open U.S. Senate seat, what action they would support taking on DACA and documented dreamers.
All candidates were asked the following questions:
▪ How should Congress address the uncertainty over the future of DACA — is there a permanent solution for DACA recipients that you support?
▪ Do you support Congress taking action to provide so-called “documented dreamers” with the ability to continue living in the US legally? What specific policy or solution would you support?
U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd, a Republican, and U.S. House candidate Christine Villaverde, a Republican running in the 2nd district, did not respond in time for publication. Bo Hines, a Republican running in the 13th district, declined to answer the questions.
What should Congress do about DACA?
Cheri Beasley, Democrat running for U.S. Senate
(Note: Beasley provided this answer in response to both questions, about DACA and documented dreamers.)
For too long, Washington has dropped the ball on immigration. We must take action to reform and improve our immigration system in a way that reflects our values – which we can do while still keeping our country safe with policies that protect our country.
Congress must protect the DACA program and should implement a clear pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and for those following the rules, working hard for our state, paying taxes, and especially for those who serve in our military. Additionally, broader reforms to our immigration system are needed to invest in funding to secure our border, reduce wait times for legal immigration, and improve visa programs.
Deborah Ross, Democrat running in NC-02
The House has already passed the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides Dreamers – both undocumented and documented – with a pathway to permanent residency. Unfortunately this bill has stalled in the Senate. I hope the Senate acts soon to pass this bill or other legislation that would provide DACA recipients with the certainty they need to stay in and contribute to the country they love and call home.
Valerie Foushee, Democrat running in NC-04
(Note: Foushee provided this answer in response to both questions, about DACA and documented dreamers.)
I fully support a path to citizenship for “documented dreamers” and undocumented workers. The previous administration has, in effect, put DACA on life support and I believe that Congress should act to help dreamers fully participate in the economy, obtain drivers licenses, and enroll in college. Currently, there are too many dreamers in limbo, uncertain of their future in this country. We must find the courage, in Congress to pass legislation reopening DACA applications for the millions of dreamers living in the US.
Courtney Geels, Republican running in NC-04
The word “permanent” is a challenging word to respond to, as we all know our world is ever changing. What is never changing is the innocence of children, and the consistency in how we need to protect them. Children who come across the border illegally are generally not making that decision themselves. Children need support and guidance and safety, and I will always advocate for that at the highest level. As far as the legal pathways for these children who are already physically in our country illegally, and as DACA already provides for, is that we need to continue having documentation of ID, and they need to be permitted to work at age 16, the same as 16-year-old American citizens. As these children grow up to become adults, we must establish a pathway to citizenship that I believe should start with an employer. Employers should be able to sponsor their worker, as a reference, to start a pathway to citizenship. As the federal government’s role is to provide safety and security to Americans, there can be no felony on record, including juvenile records to continue the pathway to citizenship. America was built on immigration, and we need to provide safe methods for continuing that process.
Wiley Nickel, Democrat running in NC-13
The House has passed HR6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which the Senate must also take up and pass to provide DACA recipients with a pathway to citizenship.
Should Congress take action on documented dreamers?
Deborah Ross, Democrat running in NC-02
Documented Dreamers are Americans in every respect, except on paper. They grow up in our communities, attend our schools, learn alongside our children, and want to stay here and give back to the people and places that raised them. That’s why I introduced the America’s CHILDREN Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will offer protection to the more than 200,000 Documented Dreamers who call America home. I am working with my colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle to find a way to get the America’s CHILDREN Act across the finish line.
Courtney Geels, Republican running in NC-04
As noted in my answer above, I think Congress should establish a pathway to citizenship through employers for minors who become adults, who have entered the US illegally as a child.
Wiley Nickel, Democrat running in NC-13
Yes. Until Congress takes concrete steps toward comprehensive immigration reform, and until DHS issues a final rule, DACA recipients are stuck with a very uncertain future. I support legislation to provide 3 years of protected status until further reforms are passed.
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "What NC candidates say Congress should do about DACA and documented dreamers."
