The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is in jeopardy. This is the program that allows me to live and work in this country. My job is to supply hospitals with the technology they need to monitor the coronavirus patients in our country and internationally. I moved to the United States when I was 6 years old, and now I am one of nearly 200,000 DACA recipients working an essential role to help the United States survive this global pandemic. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of the Trump administration’s attempts to terminate the DACA program; the program that allows me to live without the fear of deportation. This decision could come at any time. Nonetheless, I continue to rise each day and work on the front lines.
More than 15,000 DACA recipients in Utah pay $52 million in taxes and, still, we live with fear every day. We are simply asking Congress to allow us continue serving our communities, particularly during this unprecedented crisis.
DACA recipients are essential to our country’s response. I urgently ask the Trump administration to withdraw their appeal at the Supreme Court, and for the United States Senate to take up the American Dream & Promise Act immediately to provide DACA recipients with permanent protection from deportation. This piece of legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. We cannot further delay its passage into law. All talents — including those of immigrants — are critical to ensure the safety and health of all Americans.
Venecia Salazar
Salt Lake City