Three years ago today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would implement a policy to make our immigration enforcement policies smarter and more representative of our values as a nation. The policy, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA), has allowed many young people who were brought to the United States as children to step out of the shadows so they can fully contribute to our economy and our society.
Those who have been approved for deferred action on a case-by-case basis include more than 650,000 young people who are ready to give back to the only country they have ever known. They are American in every way but on paper. As we take this time to reflect on the impact of the DACA policy announced in 2012, we recognize that the young people who were able to emerge from the shadows are more than just numbers and statistics, they are aspiring Americans — each with a unique story and contribution to this country.