Georgia Lawmaker, FWD.us, and Community Members Mark 13th Anniversary of DACA, Call for Permanent Protections

FWD.us and Georgia lawmaker Hosted a Press Conference on Benefits of DACA for Georgia Businesses, Families, and Communities

ATLANTA, GA—On the heels of the 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, FWD.us, Georgia lawmaker, advocates and directly impacted individuals held a press conference at The Georgia State Capitol highlighting the importance of DACA, the urgent need to protect its recipients, and preserve their ability to contribute to Georgia’s economy and communities.

Key facts shared during the event about the potential impact of ending DACA in Georgia included:

Ending DACA would shrink the Georgia labor force:

15,000 DACA recipients forced out of the workforce.
8,000 additional jobs removed if DACA-owned businesses close.

Ending DACA would drag down the Georgia economy:

$7.4 billion in future, projected economic losses.
$160 million in annual lost revenue for state and local governments.
$34 million in annual business income losses.

“With DACA, I’ve seen a lot has changed—a workforce solidified, and a community transformed. But we’re not here just to celebrate; we’re here to demand that Congress acts, we’re here to ask both the Democrats and Republicans in Washington to come up with a solution,” said Republican State Representative Kasey Carpenter (GA-04). “It’s long overdue for these individuals to have permanent protections so they don't have to live their lives in two-year increments. It’s time for real change and real solutions.”

“I’m grateful for all that DACA has provided me with. It’s given me the opportunity to get to where I am today. It gave me a chance to pursue higher education, build a career, and give back to the only home I’ve ever known. However, there is always fear and anxiety among us DACA recipients because it was never meant to be a permanent solution. Thirteen years later, the policy continues to hang in legal uncertainty, and many of us are left in fear for what is next,” said Karen, a DACA recipient and licensed social worker.

Established in 2012, DACA was designed to protect immigrants who came to the U.S. with their families as children from deportation and provide them with access to education in the U.S. Today, many DACA recipients are no longer children. Most (98%) have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and more than half (44%) have some college education. The overwhelming majority (83%) are in the labor force, and more than a third (26%) are married or have children (29%). Yet, despite these contributions, DACA recipients still lack a clear path to citizenship and remain uncertain about their futures as the policy continues to face legal threats.

There are approximately 18,000 DACA recipients in Georgia alone. The average age of a DACA recipient in Georgia is 31, and they have been in our country for an average of 25 years. More than 15,000 DACA recipients in Georgia are also part of our workforce, playing vital roles in key sectors of the state economy.

“It is more important now than ever for lawmakers to provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and Dreamers. Otherwise, these individuals will be forced to live in uncertainty about what will happen next for their legal status and work authorization, said Jaime Rangel, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us. “We are here to make it clear that our country needs positive immigration reform for our immigrant friends and neighbors to be able to continue living and working in Georgia and making our state the successful place that it is today.”

“DACA recipients have been incredibly successful in America, as well—particularly here in Georgia… Lawmakers must work together to create a clear pathway to permanent immigration status for DACA recipients and Dreamers. A clear process is essential to making sure that these individuals are empowered to be able to succeed—and to continue helping our state to succeed,” said Santiago Marquez, President and CEO of the Latin American Association.

“The DACA policy offered much-needed stability to a group of young immigrants in our country who more than deserved it. These immigrants came to America with their families as children, and many of them have known no other place as home,” said Veronica Maldonado-Torres, President and CEO of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “At the GHCC, our mission is to support the economic development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in Georgia. Considering the significant population of Hispanic Georgia residents who have benefited from the DACA policy, preserving their stability goes hand-in-hand with this mission.”

“The diversity of our experiences and cultures is not only what makes this country, it’s what makes it strong,” said Reverend Dr. Rodrigo Cruz. “While we celebrate, we must also confront the stark reality—DACA remains temporary and millions continue to live in legal limbo. No one should have to live with the anxiety of court decisions that hang with the anxiety of court decisions that keep their futures hanging in the balance.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON THE DACA POLICY STATE OF PLAY:

The Texas v. United States DACA case had until May 19th for parties to petition the Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit's decision. No petitions were filed by Texas, the United States, New Jersey as an intervenor, or DACA recipients represented by MALDEF. Without a petition, the case returns to Judge Hanen. The Fifth Circuit instructed him to revise his order, deeming DACA work authorization unlawful only in Texas, while allowing full DACA benefits, including initial applications, in the other forty-nine states. Texas residents will retain deportation protection but lose work authorization. Judge Hanen must determine how to transition from full to partial DACA benefits in Texas. Currently, the status quo remains the same. DACA recipients can renew in all 50 states, while initial applications remain on hold.