Congress should support DACA

Two weeks ago, House Republicans voted to hinder executive action by President Obama. Carried out, these Republicans would end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the immigration program that has allowed half a million qualifying undocumented youth a temporary reprieve from deportation.

This is inconsistent because DACA squares with the recently published Republican standards for immigration reform. Indeed, Republicans have advocated a KIDS Act that would give qualifying undocumented youth the opportunity to gain legal status and citizenship. In addition, Republican standards signaled a rigorous, but realistic path to legal status for other undocumented immigrants.

The attack on DACA and prosecutorial discretion is misleading and and distracting. While a logical argument may be made that President Obama stretched legal authority to establish DACA, the fact is that the country and most Republicans support it. This fight has to do more with credit than substance.

While Republicans direct vitriol at President Obama, none seriously talk about deporting DACA recipients. Rather, several Republicans have expressed admiration for DREAMer activists.

This struggle concerns electoral politics. Human dignity is increasingly removed from an overtly hostile political environment. Maintaining conflict trumps reaching agreements.

There is a simple solution. Congress could pass legislation to support DACA and general principles for prosecutorial discretion. Congress could suggest changes and, if necessary, set a sunset date for its approval. That would be a significant step toward real, permanent reform.

The step would also allow Congress some measure of credit and President Obama and the Department of Homeland Security the flexibility needed to center immigration resources on true and credible threats. Congess could continue its slow pace toward permanent reform.

Version in Spanish: El congreso debería respaldar la acción diferida.