This paper deals with Barack Obama’s impact on young Latinos. In hopes of a better life, millions of Latinos illegally immigrated to America, also known as the land of equal opportunities and prosperity. Contrary to expectations, they faced many obstacles and inequalities after arriving in the U.S. However, younger undocumented generations were able to evoke a change: They had been fighting for equal rights for several years before President Barack Obama finally introduced the DACA program which gives young immigrants a temporary permission to stay in the U.S. and more opportunities to work or pursue higher education.
Since Obama introduced DACA through an executive order, that can easily be reversed by the following presidents, the existence of the program has been put at great risk by his successor Donald Trump. The attempts of political opponents to reverse DACA and the uncertainty of the future caused young Latinos to feel anxious about the program ending any day. Yet, what impact does DACA exactly have on the young Latino generation and what would happen if the program actually got abolished?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Obama and the Latino Community
3. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: An Introduction
3.1 Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship
3.2 DACA’s chances
3.3 DACA’s limits
4. Effects of DACA in practice
4.1 Economic impact
4.2 Emotional impact
5. Abolishing DACA
6. Conclusion and Outlook
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to investigate the impact of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on young Latino immigrants in the United States, analyzing its role in shaping their economic and emotional lives. By examining the program's strengths and limitations through the lens of T.H. Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship, the study evaluates the potential consequences of a permanent abolition of DACA and explores whether maintaining this policy remains a worthwhile endeavor in the current political climate.
- Historical context of the relationship between Barack Obama and the Latino community.
- Evaluation of DACA against the framework of T.H. Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship.
- Empirical analysis of the economic benefits and educational opportunities provided to DACA recipients.
- Investigation into the emotional health, sense of belonging, and mental well-being of "Dreamers."
- Assessment of the systemic risks and national consequences associated with the potential repeal of DACA.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship
Before continuing with DACA’s potentials, I would like to outline a citizenship theory which will serve as a guideline to evaluate the policy’s opportunities and boundaries.
In 1950 the sociologist Thomas H. Marshall established his Theory of Citizenship in which he states that the ideal citizenship consists of three elements: Civil rights, political rights, and social rights. Civil rights include freedoms such as “liberty of the person, freedom of speech, thought and faith, the right to own property” and therefore, they also include the right to work (Marshall, 1950, p.10). The political rights comprise the right to participate in political affairs and the right to vote (Marshall, 1950, p.11). Furthermore, the social rights of citizens introduce the right to live like a “civilized being” while having access to the economic welfare system (Marshall, 1950, p.11). This includes the educational system as well as social services. Consequently, it can be argued that a citizenship is more than just naturalization on paper; the ideal citizenship gives people more liberties and opportunities in civil, political, and social aspects.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the background of DACA, outlines the research objective, and sets the theoretical framework for analyzing the program's impact on young Latinos.
2. Obama and the Latino Community: Explores the political relationship between the Obama administration and the Latino electorate, detailing the failed attempts at broader immigration reform that preceded DACA.
3. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: An Introduction: Introduces the DACA program, outlines the eligibility requirements, and discusses its potential through the perspective of citizenship theory versus its structural limitations.
4. Effects of DACA in practice: Analyzes the tangible consequences of DACA, focusing on how work permits and social security numbers have influenced economic status and emotional well-being.
5. Abolishing DACA: Examines the potential socio-economic and symbolic repercussions if DACA were to be repealed, highlighting the threat to the stability and prospects of the "Dreamer" generation.
6. Conclusion and Outlook: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that despite being an imperfect policy, DACA provides essential benefits that outweigh the consequences of its removal.
Keywords
DACA, Dreamers, Latino community, Barack Obama, U.S. immigration policy, T.H. Marshall, Citizenship theory, economic impact, mental health, deportation, social inclusion, American Dream, higher education, political, reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its specific impact on the lives of young undocumented immigrants of Latino origin.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
The study centers on the intersection of immigration policy, citizenship rights, economic mobility, and the emotional well-being of recipients, while also addressing the political risks of the program's potential abolition.
What is the overarching research goal?
The primary goal is to determine if DACA acts as a functional substitute for citizenship and whether it is strategically and ethically worthwhile to continue the program given its inherent limitations.
Which scientific framework is used to analyze the policy?
The author utilizes T.H. Marshall’s Theory of Citizenship, which categorizes rights into civil, political, and social domains, to evaluate the efficacy of DACA.
What is the primary content of the main body chapters?
The main body covers the historical necessity of DACA, its practical economic and psychological outcomes for recipients, and a critical analysis of what a total repeal would signify for the United States.
Which keywords define the scope of this work?
Key terms include DACA, Dreamers, Latino community, U.S. immigration policy, citizenship, economic impact, mental health, and the American Dream.
How does DACA influence the educational prospects of young Latinos?
DACA facilitates access to higher education by providing work authorization, which allows recipients to earn the necessary income to pay tuition, although access remains restricted by varying state laws.
What is the main argument regarding the "fragility" of DACA?
The author argues that because DACA is an executive order rather than official state law, it remains inherently insecure, leaving recipients in constant uncertainty about the program's continuity.
What did research indicate about the mental health of DACA recipients?
The findings suggest that while DACA provides a crucial sense of safety and inclusion, the ongoing fear of family deportation and the exclusion of non-recipients continue to negatively impact the mental health of the Latino community.
- Citation du texte
- Ipek Yilmaz (Auteur), 2021, Barack Obama’s impact on young Latinos. What effects does DACA have on young immigrants and what would happen if the program was permanently abolished?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1038444
