Trump Targets Undocumented Immigrants: 86 'Dreamers' Protected Under DACA Deported

Central Message

(CNA Houston, December 12 - International News Compilation) The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, introduced under former U.S. President Barack Obama, was designed to protect undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children. However, recent reports indicate that several individuals protected under DACA, commonly known as 'Dreamers,' have been deported during the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

According to AFP, Jose Contreras is one such case. He believed he was protected under DACA and would not be deported, but on January 2, he was handcuffed and detained during a routine immigration hearing and immediately deported to his birth country, Honduras.

Contreras said he pleaded for a delay in deportation because his wife was about to give birth, but immigration officials laughed it off.

After spending 118 days in Honduras, a U.S. court ruled the deportation unlawful, allowing him to return to the United States. However, his son was born in Texas at the end of February, and he was unable to be present.

Launched in 2012, DACA—often referred to as the 'Dreamers Program'—allows undocumented immigrants who were under 16 at the time and meet specific criteria to defer deportation and apply for work permits. However, beneficiaries must renew their status every two years and are not eligible to apply for permanent residency. According to U.S. government statistics, approximately 500,000 people are currently protected under this program.

However, the non-governmental organization 'Home is Here' cites data submitted by the Department of Homeland Security to Congress, indicating that the Trump administration has arrested at least 343 Dreamers and deported at least 86 of them.

Another case involves Maria de Jesus Estrada, a 42-year-old woman who came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 15 and had lived in California for decades. She was detained alongside her 23-year-old daughter during an immigration hearing and deported to Mexico the same day.

In both Contreras' and Estrada's cases, immigration authorities stated the deportations were based on outstanding removal orders issued during their youth that had not been rescinded. However, U.S. courts later ruled the deportations unlawful and permitted both individuals to return to the U.S.

Stacy Tolchin, the attorney representing both individuals, stated these cases demonstrate how the Trump administration is 'twisting the law in illegal and inhumane ways.'

During his first term, Trump attempted to fully terminate DACA but was blocked by the courts. He is now urging Congress to develop a permanent legislative solution to the complex immigration issue.

Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform advocacy group FWD.us, said the Trump administration is systematically dismantling DACA through delayed processing, rejected applications, detentions, and deportations. (Translation: Shih Shih) 1150713