De Genova’s comments on using the term “illegal” and how it dehumanizes individuals reminded me a lot about the current situation of the undocumented youth eligible for DACA.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) act was established by the Obama administration in June 2012. DACA allowed some immigrant youth who entered the U.S as minors to receive a two-year period of deferred action from deportation and a permit that would allow them to work. The individuals eligible for DACA, about 800,000, were referred to as “Dreamers”.

The term “Dreamer” helped young undocumented people be seen in a more positive light to the public. The introduction of DACA gave many families hope and immigrant youth the chance to work and study legally in the U.S. It also gave families hope that this would eventually lead to a path to citizenship.

What we didn’t know was that this very term would criminalize the parents of “Dreamers”. The claim that these individuals were brought as children without any recollection of the events made their parents be seen in a negative light.

Undocumented youth have especially pushed against using the term “Dreamers” after the current President announced that DACA will be terminated and after the introduction of the DREAM Act. Many have expressed that it’s problematic because it criminalizes their parents and that its not fair to throw them under the bus.

Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).” USCIS, U.S Government, www.uscis.gov/archive/consideration-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca.