The presidential election has passed, and many individuals are fearful with an uncertainty of what might happen.

Throughout his campaign, Trump made comments targeting undocumented immigrants. This community now faces a threat of being stripped from one of the few hopes they have; DACA.

On June 15 of 2012, Obama passed DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), an immigration policy that allows undocumented students (Dreamers) who came to the U.S. before 2012 and under the age of 16, to obtain a temporary work permit and a social security number. DACA allows them to work and live in the U.S. for two years, so long as they meet requirements.

As a president-elect, Trump has certain powers, but unfortunately, his plans may put the lives of 11 million immigrants at stake. Tim Myers, an immigration lawyer, explained “two things that Donald Trump can change are two executive policies, and that’s whether or not DACA is in place because that’s a program of President Obama. And he can also decide who he wants to prioritize for deportation.”

In an interview with Time Magazine, Trump stated “we’re going to work something out… They [dreamers] got brought here at a very young age. They’ve worked here. They’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs.” Trump pledged to end DACA, yet it is not clear what will happen come January 20.

As of now, lawyers have advised new applicants not to apply for DACA. By doing so, they provide the government with their personal information. For those who already have DACA, they are urged to renew their application as soon as possible.

Lawyer, Tim Myers, reassures that going to college is an option, whether you are DACAmented or not. Other options for citizenship exist. Advocates can talk to a lawyer for further guidance on individual cases. His main words of advice for everyone right now is to “hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.”

For Dreamers, asking for a pardon from President Obama has not worked. Propitiously on October 9, senators, Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham, introduced a new bill, the Bridge Act. The bill, as Durbin explained,“…would provide protection from deportation and legal authority to continue working and studying, to the people who are eligible for DACA.”

Hopefully, with the help of allies and supporters like Dick Durbin, who is helping protect Dreamers, this bill is passed. Finally, Dreamers will no longer have to live in fear of being deported.

– Citlali Perez