As President-elect Donald Trump signals renewed efforts to enforce mass deportations, recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program remain uncertain about their future. Trump’s recent remarks suggest a willingness to negotiate a solution for “Dreamers,” but broader deportation plans, with his main goal being to remove violent, illegal criminals first.
In a recent NBC News interview, Trump outlined his deportation priorities, emphasizing a focus on criminals “first” but confirming that undocumented individuals without criminal records would also be targeted. When pressed specifically about Dreamers, Trump stated, “I want to work something out,” adding that Republicans are “very open” to addressing their situation. He criticized President Biden for failing to achieve a legislative solution over the past four years.
DACA, established by President Obama in 2012, protects undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children, granting them renewable two-year permits to live and work legally. Approximately 535,000 recipients currently rely on these protections, though no new applications have been accepted since a 2021 court ruling declared the program illegal. An estimated 3.6 million Dreamers live in the United States, many of whom have spent decades in the country and lost ties to their nations of origin.
Trump’s mixed signals leave Dreamers apprehensive. While acknowledging their contributions, stating that many have jobs and businesses, Trump also supports broader deportation measures, including potentially ending birthright citizenship. Additionally, Trump backed plans by former ICE Director Thomas Homan to deport entire families, claiming this approach maintains family unity.
During his first term, Trump attempted to end DACA, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that his administration’s method violated federal procedures. Despite this, the future of DACA remains precarious, especially if legislative solutions are not reached.
Advocates fear the dismantling of DACA could become a reality under a second Trump administration, particularly if Congress remains divided. For now, Dreamers face the ongoing uncertainty of whether political negotiations will yield a path to citizenship or leave them vulnerable to deportation.
