Reliance on Executive Orders and its Effects: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an executive order that was passed by President Barack Obama in 2012. This program came with many opportunities, such as giving a two-year relief from deportation, a temporary social security number, and renewable work permits to an approximate 800,000 qualified immigrants. Many argue that President Obama authorized DACA due to political pressure and lack of congressional action. Relying on the power of an executive order and the inaction of Congress allowed Obama to approve this program, just like it is giving current president, Donald Trump, the chance of overturning it. This thesis will be analyzing how some executive orders have been created from Congress not being able to agree on difficult subjects, such as immigration. It will analyze how Congress inaction has caused societal issues to be addressed by executive orders. The thesis will also go into more detail about DACA, how it has evolved over the years and how completely overturning it could affect its holders. Since President Trump came into power, the option to apply for the first time is not an option, but a current DACA holder can still renew their DACA status. The questions being explored are how DACA has affected those who have it (in their personal lives and in their professional lives). How would DACA being taken away completely affect these people? Qualitative research data would be used in order to have a more in-depth understanding of how the program has changed people's lives since it began until how it is now. This survey would help give an insight into how DACA has changed these young lives and what would happen if it was to be taken away.