DACA, Religion for Public Health – El Sol de México

By Sergio M. Alkoser

An immigration policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was announced as an enforcement measure in 2012 by the US Department of Homeland Security. Since then, 11 years after its implementation, more than half a million immigrants — most of them of Mexican descent — have benefited not only by avoiding deportation and separation from their families, but also by gaining access to job opportunities and, by extension, health services. However, significant barriers exist for DACA recipients to have equitable access to health care.

DACA was created with the goal of protecting from deportation certain illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and thus, after becoming adults, have permission to work. The program, whose effects are temporary, although it can be renewed every two years, has given these people access to the labor market and some health services; However, 34% do not have health insurance, and among those who are insured, coverage is generally much lower than that of US citizens.

Despite the fact that they have lived most of their lives in the United States (24 years on average), that 86% are part of the workforce and 48% have children, people in the DACA program are not eligible for US citizenship, nor for Medicare coverage. provided by the federal government.

In April 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed changes to eligibility criteria for people who can access the affordable federal insurance program, which could turn that reality around by the end of this year; Well, so far, people under DACA have been explicitly excluded as potential beneficiaries of these subprograms.

While the proposed HHS reform represents significant progress, as we’ve seen during Donald Trump’s presidency, the protections offered by DACA remain fraught with risks. So far we are facing a situation that generates uncertainty and jeopardizes any progress.

While in 2017 the receipt of new applications from people eligible for DACA was put on hold, the situation worsened in 2021, when a federal judge ruled that DACA was “created in violation of law” and in 2022 a federal court confirmed that it was “illegal,” highlighting the urgency To reach long-term solutions that provide certainty and protection for this group.

It should be borne in mind that people subject to DACA have contributed to the American economy and, having multiplied their average income seven times in these eleven years, have contributed to a combined tax of $33 billion.

Maintaining DACA is not only about 580,000 people, but also their families and communities, it is necessary to take into account all eligible persons who have not had the possibility to join. HHS’s proposal would be the first step to resolving the debt and addressing this public health problem for the benefit of people under DACA, their families, and society at large.

Researcher, Engineering Institute, UNAM, President of the Mexican Council of International Affairs, COMEXI.