b) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a U.S. executive action introduced in 2012, offered deportation relief for minors brought to the U.S. illegally. This policy aimed to protect eligible immigrant youth from deportation and provide them work authorization, sparking significant debate over immigration policy and the legal status of young immigrants known as “Dreamers.” The implementation of DACA marked a transformative period in the narrative of immigration in the United States, highlighting the complex interplay between law, society, and individual lives.

The policy emerged as a response to the challenges faced by these young individuals who, despite growing up in the United States and often having little connection to their birth countries, found themselves without legal status. DACA offered them a reprieve from the threat of deportation and a chance to work legally, significantly altering their day-to-day lives and future prospects.

However, DACA also ignited a nationwide discussion about immigration reform, the rights of non-citizens, and the definition of American identity. It became a focal point in the broader conversation about how the nation addresses undocumented immigrants, especially those brought to the country as children. This policy, while providing crucial protections to many, also underscored the ongoing debate and the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.