Any person born in the United States is automatically granted American citizenship. Birthright citizenship, as it is known, is no doubt a good policy. This means that when undocumented immigrants have a child within the United States, that child becomes a citizen. Indeed, that family becomes one that has mixed immigration status. Unfortunately, the undocumented parents are still not entitled to much of any legal protection. This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. In 2014, a temporary solution appeared to be on the table, but sadly political forces have killed these protections for the time being.
DAPA: A Temporary Solution to Keep Families Together
For years, comprehensive immigration reform, which could permanently help solve problems for mixed status families, remained stalled in the United States Congress. This was despite the fact that it had, at times, obtained some form bipartisan, including from both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. However, in 2014, as legislation continued to flounder, President Obama took action. He issued an executive order known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). Essentially, this policy would give undocumented parents of American citizens or American green card holders some temporary legal protections. Specifically, it would give these immigrants protection against deportation for two years, with the possibility for renewal. The primary goal of this policy was to protect families until a comprehensive, more permanent, solution could be reached. However, DAPA never came into being. A lawsuit brought by the state of Texas, and joined by 26 other Republican-led states, eventually led to an injunction being filed in the courts ,which put the order on hold. Now, with the election of Donald Trump, there is simply no longer hope for this program.
Donald Trump’s Election Killed DAPA
One of the defining characteristics of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign was hostility toward immigrants and immigration. President Trump’s actions in his first few days in office have reaffirmed his commitment to an anti-immigrant message. His original executive order on immigration sparked mass protests around the country and was, thankfully, eventually blocked by the courts. However, on March 6th, President Trump signed a new, somewhat altered, immigration order. The principles behind this new order remain largely the same as the previous order. Sadly, this is a very tense time for American citizens and American residents who have undocumented parents. It is also a time of flux and uncertainty. Our team is constantly monitoring the latest developments. We strongly disagree with the anti-immigrant actions taken by the Trump Administration to this point. If you need help understanding how the Trump administration’s actions will affect you and your family, we are here to help.
Contact Our Immigration Lawyers For Immediate Immigration Assistance
At the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, we have extensive experience serving immigrants and their families throughout Southern California, as well as those interested in moving to L.A. If your parents or loved ones are undocumented and you need legal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Los Angeles office today to schedule a legal consultation.
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