Standing Up to Defend DACA

Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Posted by: Jamie Klufts

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Join Us to #DefendDACA

Hello Chapter,

Yesterday's decision to end DACA will turn young Dreamers' lives upside down. As Barack Obama said, "These Dreamers are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper."

Ending DACA is unjust and as our US Senator Ed Markey lamented, "just plain evil." This decision impacts 800,000 individuals, approximately 7,900 of whom are living, working, and studying in Massachusetts. Even some of our social work colleagues are personally affected by this decision (see image to the right).

NASW-MA will be participating in protests and actions in the coming days and weeks. Watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on actions you can take with us.

We urge you to stay vigilant and to join us as we push Congress to defend DACA and preserve this critically important program in our communities and our nation.

Together, we can #DefendDACA.

In solidarity,

Rebekah

Rebekah Gewirtz

Executive Director

NASW - MA Chapter

rgewirtz.naswma@socialworkers.org

617-227-9635 x16

You can read our original statement here and read National's statement here.

Actions You Can Take Right Now

Sign up to provide pro bono mental health services to DACA recipients and their families. (Organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.)

Message your Congresspeople and urge them to pass The Dream Act as it is written.

Use The Dream Act Toolkit to contact key legislators who need to be influenced to pass The Dream Act.

Find an action near you. Events are being added constantly, so check back or submit your own.You can also join us at the Resist Deportations! Defend DACA! Rally on 9/16. Want to carry the NASW-MA banner? Let us know.

Urge your state Representatives and Senators to pass The Safe Communities Act to protect Dreamers locally in MA. Look up your local legislators here.

Learn More

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - A program that protects successful applicants from deportation, legally allowing them to live and work in the U.S. for two years. These individuals pay taxes, contribute to social security and medicare/medicaid, and are critical drivers of our economy.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - A person may be granted TPS if their country is experiencing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. While in the U.S., these individuals may not be removed from the U.S. and may be eligible for legal employment.

The Dream Act - The 2017 version of this bill was introduced by both Democrats and Republicans to better protect DACA and TPS recipients and provide a path to citizenship.