Eaton students affected by DACA decision

President Trump rescinded DACA, or more commonly known as The Dreamers Act, on September 5. DACA the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allows children of illegal immigrants to avoid deportation. According to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, the requirements are as follows:

• Be under age 31 on July 15, 2012
• Have come to the United States before their 16th birthday
• Have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
• Have been physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of their request for deferred action
• Have entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or have had their lawful immigration status expire before June 15, 2012
• Be currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from a high school, have obtained a GED certificate, or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

33,000 out of the 800,000 DACA recipients are located in Colorado. According to School Counselor Tara Kaysen,Eaton itself hosts 15-20 of those who have applied and been approved for DACA. There are other students who were too scared to apply. Kaysen,who works closely with these students, was visibly affected as she started thinking of the individuals who are part of the student body. “America is their home,” Kaysen said. “This is all they have ever known.”  DACA is no longer accepting applications as of September 5.

Two Colorado Senators, Michael Bennet (D), and Cory Gardener (R), are sponsoring a bipartisan bill known as the Colorado Dreamer’s Act. For this new act, participants must have arrived in the US before turning 18, have graduated high school, be pursuing a higher education, working lawfully for at least three years or serve in the military or Coast Guard, demonstrate a proficiency in the English language and history, and pass security and background checks before qualifying.