NEVADA VIEWS: DACA is a promise worth keeping

On Monday, our nation marks another anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — a policy that has transformed lives, strengthened communities and demonstrated the tremendous contributions immigrants make to America.

Since its creation in 2012, DACA has provided hundreds of thousands of young people, often called Dreamers, with the opportunity to work legally, pursue higher education and contribute fully to the only country many of them have ever known. These young men and women were brought to the United States as children, grew up in our neighborhoods, attended our schools and embraced the values that define the American dream.

The success of DACA recipients is undeniable.

Dreamers serve as teachers, nurses, doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers, first responders and military personnel. They have started businesses, created jobs, purchased homes, paid taxes and strengthened local economies across the country. During the pandemic, thousands of DACA recipients served on the front lines in health care and essential industries, helping our nation navigate one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

Their economic impact is significant. DACA recipients contribute billions of dollars annually to federal, state and local tax revenues. Many have earned college degrees and advanced professional certifications, demonstrating the determination and resilience that have become hallmarks of the Dreamer community.

Beyond the numbers are the stories. Stories of young people who overcame obstacles, pursued education, built careers and gave back to the communities that supported them. Stories of families who found stability and hope. Stories that reflect the best of the American spirit.

As we commemorate this anniversary, we should recognize that DACA has never been simply about immigration policy. It has been about opportunity. It has been about allowing talented young people to reach their full potential and contribute to our nation’s success.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding DACA continues to create challenges for recipients, employers, educational institutions and communities. These are individuals who have followed the rules, worked hard and invested in America’s future. They deserve certainty and a lasting solution.

America has always been strengthened by those willing to work hard, pursue opportunity and contribute to the common good. DACA recipients embody those values every day.

On this anniversary, let us celebrate their achievements, acknowledge their contributions and recommit ourselves to policies that recognize talent, reward hard work and keep the promise of opportunity alive for future generations.

The story of DACA is ultimately a story about America at its best — a nation that believes that where you start should not determine how far you can go.

That is a promise worth keeping.

Peter Guzman is president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Nevada. He writes from Las Vegas.