The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) policy provides that undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before turning 16 years old may be entitled to employment authorization and protection from deportation. To date, this policy has benefitted nearly 742,000 undocumented youth since it began in 2012. It is because of these provisions that the Miramar City Commission endorsed the enacting of a Resolution at its board meeting, Tuesday, September 19, 2017. The Resolution supports the DACA policy as a sound one; acknowledges the countless young people that contribute to Miramar, our economy, and our country as a whole; and urges President Donald Trump to continue its existence.
DACA’s presence in our nation’s economy is linked to an 87% recipient participation rate of employees in American businesses and 6% percent participation rate of entrepreneurs in the American marketplace. These facts are connected to higher wages and positive economic outcomes. It is also important to note that DACA recipients contribute 15.3% of their wages to taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare. DACA recipients have in turn invested in assets like houses, bringing significant tax revenue to cities and states. The end of DACA would leave 742,000 young people who now call the United States their home, unsure of their legal status. It will also attribute to the loss of $900 million tax contributions over the next four years. These figures run an estimated $3.4 billion in United States gross domestic product over the next decade. Equally relevant is that the Armed Forces rely on DACA applicants to serve, using their fluency in critical languages and their educational and professional skillset. Lastly, DACA has also contributed to domestic public safety with 90% of DACA recipients obtaining a drivers’ license or state identification card. This has translated into 54% of car purchasers after receipt of DACA; resulting in more insured and licensed drivers on American streets.
The passed Commission Resolution will be officially distributed to President Donald Trump, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate in Washington, D.C.; affirming the City’s position on this matter.
