8.3 Undocumented immigration and the DREAM Act movement
3 min read•july 19, 2024
Undocumented immigration is a complex issue affecting millions in the U.S. Latinx immigrants face barriers to education, employment, and public benefits, living in fear of . They also experience social stigma and discrimination, making daily life challenging.
The aimed to provide a path to legal status for undocumented youth. Though not passed, it sparked the movement, raising awareness and leading to DACA. Undocumented have been at the forefront, advocating for broader immigration reform and social justice.
Undocumented Immigration in the U.S.
Definition of undocumented immigrants
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Fact Check: Illegal Immigration Statistics - Citizen Truth View original
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Top images from around the web for Definition of undocumented immigrants
Fact Check: Illegal Immigration Statistics - Citizen Truth View original
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Title 42 Expulsions and Regular Apprehensions of All Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border - WOLA ... View original
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Fact Check: Illegal Immigration Statistics - Citizen Truth View original
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Fact Check: Illegal Immigration Statistics - Citizen Truth View original
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Title 42 Expulsions and Regular Apprehensions of All Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border - WOLA ... View original
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Foreign-born individuals residing in the U.S. without legal authorization
Entered the country illegally by crossing the border without inspection (border crossing)
Overstayed their visas after entering legally (visa overstay)
Estimated 10.5 to 12 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S. as of 2018
Approximately 50-60% originated from Mexico
Significant populations from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (Central America)
Challenges for undocumented Latinx immigrants
Face barriers accessing education
Ineligible for federal financial aid (Pell Grants) and many scholarships
Some states restrict access to in-state tuition rates at public universities
Encounter difficulty obtaining legal employment
Lack of work authorization leads to exploitation by employers and lower wages
Often work in low-paying, labor-intensive industries (agriculture, construction)
Live with constant fear and anxiety of deportation
Risk of family separation and forced return to dangerous conditions in home countries (violence, poverty)
Excluded from eligibility for most public benefits
Cannot access healthcare subsidies (Affordable Care Act), welfare programs (SNAP), or social security benefits
Experience social stigmatization and discrimination
Subjected to negative stereotypes and anti-immigrant rhetoric in media and politics
Face and targeting by law enforcement (collaboration with ICE)
The DREAM Act and Dreamer Movement
Origins of DREAM Act
DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act first introduced in Congress in 2001
Aimed to provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented youth brought to U.S. as children
Key provisions of the proposed legislation:
Conditional residency for individuals who entered U.S. before age 16 and lived continuously for 5 years
Eligibility for permanent residency after completing 2 years of college or military service
Dreamer movement emerged to advocate for passage of DREAM Act and rights of undocumented youth
Led by undocumented youth activists self-identifying as "Dreamers"
Utilized storytelling, civil disobedience, and grassroots organizing tactics to build public support
Impact of DREAM Act movement
Successes:
Raised public awareness about challenges faced by undocumented youth
Pressured Obama administration to implement DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in 2012
Provided temporary deportation relief and work authorization for eligible undocumented youth
Inspired a new generation of undocumented activists and leaders
Limitations:
DREAM Act has not been passed into law despite multiple reintroductions in Congress
DACA is a temporary solution and does not provide a
Movement criticized for focusing on "deserving" immigrants and not addressing broader undocumented population
Role of undocumented Latinx youth
Undocumented Latinx youth at forefront of Dreamer movement
Share personal stories to humanize the issue of undocumented immigration
Challenge criminalization and dehumanization of undocumented immigrants in public discourse
Advocate for comprehensive immigration reform beyond DREAM Act
Call for protections and pathways to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants
Emphasize importance of family unity and impact of deportations on mixed-status families
Engage in intersectional activism and coalition-building
Connect immigrant rights to racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic inequality
Collaborate with other marginalized communities to build solidarity and collective power