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-Editorial
As the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program reaches its 13th anniversary, the conversation around immigration reform has grown louder and more urgent. DACA, which protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, has not only transformed lives—it has become a cornerstone of the American workforce. But with the program’s future hanging in the balance, leaders across business, policy, and advocacy are calling on Congress to act decisively.
The Coalition for the American Dream, a group representing more than 100 major U.S. businesses and trade associations, marked the June 15 anniversary with a powerful statement: “DACA recipients are teachers, nurses, engineers, and small business owners… key contributors to our economy.” The Coalition emphasized that while DACA has been a resounding success, only Congress can offer the permanent certainty these individuals—and the nation—need.
Recent data backs up the call for urgency. The Coalition’s updated report, Forfeiting the Trillion Dollar Dream, outlines the staggering potential loss if DACA is ended: over $1 trillion in lifetime economic contributions, nearly $150 billion in lost state and local tax revenues, and more than 500,000 jobs at risk. With 450,000 DACA recipients in the workforce and 188,000 U.S. workers employed by DACA-owned businesses, the stakes are clear. Ending DACA would be a direct blow to the nation’s economic strength.
These young immigrants, often called “Dreamers,” participate in the U.S. economy at rates equal to or higher than U.S.-born citizens. Surveys show that 89.5% of DACA recipients are either working or enrolled in school. Nearly half are married, and many are parents to U.S. citizen children. Their average income—about $40,000 annually—feeds back into local economies through spending, taxes, and entrepreneurship.
Still, despite DACA’s proven value, its future remains precarious due to legal and political challenges. Courts have blocked new applications, leaving over 500,000 eligible young people in limbo. The fear of deportation and family separation is a daily burden for recipients. More than 67% of DACA parents surveyed in 2023 said they constantly worry about being removed from the country and leaving their children behind.
Corporate America is unambiguous in its stance: the loss of DACA protections would be economically devastating. Companies like Apple, IBM, and major trade associations support legislative efforts that protect Dreamers. Their message is not just rooted in compassion—it’s grounded in economic reality. Dreamers are essential to sectors such as health care, education, agriculture, and technology. Without their labor and innovation, the U.S. risks stagnation in critical industries.
Policy experts also argue that the window to act is shrinking. DACA’s uncertain legal status means that one unfavorable court ruling could strip protections from hundreds of thousands of people who have known no other country as home. Advocacy groups have urged Congress to pass legislation like the American Dream and Promise Act, which would offer Dreamers a pathway to citizenship. While the bill has passed the House multiple times, it has repeatedly stalled in the Senate.
Immigration reform is not just about numbers—it’s about people. Dreamers are American in every way but on paper. They were raised in the U.S., educated in its schools, and now contribute to its economy, culture, and civic life. Allowing their lives to be upended by inaction would be a profound moral failure.
As the Coalition for the American Dream stated: “It is long past time to act.” The 13th anniversary of DACA must serve as a wake-up call—not just to celebrate its impact but to demand a permanent solution. The American dream should not be a temporary status subject to political winds. It should be a promise fulfilled.
Now is the time for lawmakers to pass immigration reform that secures the futures of Dreamers, strengthens the economy, and reflects the values America claims to uphold. The country cannot afford to forfeit the talent, drive, and promise of this generation.