One day in my government class, as we were discussing various laws in the process of being passed in California, a classmate brought up AB60. This classmate questioned why undocumented immigrants should receive benefits that, according to him, they don’t deserve.
Health advocates are concerned that tax preparers have been misinforming, and some even outright scamming, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries by making them pay a penalty for not having health insurance. On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a statement clarifying that there is no such penalty for undocumented immigrants or for DACA recipients. DACA is a program announced by President Obama in 2012 that gives temporary protection against deportation to undocumented immigrants who came to this country as children.
A federal judge on Monday blocked Obama’s executive actions on immigration from going into effect. But while immigration reform advocates say they are confident the judge’s decision will be reversed, they are concerned about the uncertainty the ruling could generate within immigrant communities.
The parents of Dreamers and existing DACA recipients, for example, will receive no help. Likewise for the parents whose children were not born in the United States. Despite having lived here for more than five years, paying taxes and generally being hard working people, they will watch from the sidelines -- alongside those who have been here for less than five years -- as many others begin their applications for employment authorization.
I have been living here since I was 3. I think, write and speak in English. I’m a part of American culture. I’m thankful for the opportunity DACA provides, but I stay hopeful that someday I will be fully legalized in my home.
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