Dear Editor,
As early as January 2020, the Supreme Court will rule on the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as they are set to hear oral arguments surrounding the case on November 12th.
Today, there are thousands of DACA recipients – many of whom are children – anxiously awaiting a decision that could cause them to be separated from the only country they have ever known.
These young immigrants are American in every way. They have made their homes here. They go to school, play sports, work, and give back to their communities in ways that benefit us all. Their stories are the embodiment of the American Dream – overcoming any obstacle through hard work and determination, with the hope of building a better future for their families and communities.
I’ve been an educator for over 20 years. As the former Deputy Associate Superintendent with the Arizona Department of Education, I’ve had the privilege of working with DACA recipients and witnessing firsthand the value these young immigrants bring to our classrooms. They are bright, intuitive, and driven to succeed in a country that has given them a chance to do so. It’s critical that we not turn our backs on these young DACA recipients.
Congress must act and pass permanent legislative protections that prevent the loss of these incredible young Americans. I urge Senators Sinema and McSally to work together in a bipartisan manner to protect Arizona’s over 30,000 Dreamers and preserve our nation’s future.
Dr. Ann Hart
Former Deputy Associate Superintendent for the Arizona Department of Education.
