Time is running out, and Dreamers are growing increasingly anxious

Time is running out, and Dreamers are growing increasingly anxious

In the heart of Washington D.C., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stands with banners proclaiming, "America. Built by Dreamers." The banners serve as a testament to the contributions of Dreamers, a term used to describe individuals who were brought to the United States as children and are currently protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The program, which provides temporary legal status to nearly 800,000 people, is currently in legal limbo, with no permanent legislative solution enacted by Congress. The DACA program is scheduled to be effectively rescinded next March, leaving its recipients in a state of uncertainty.

Recently, President Donald Trump has asked Congress to find a solution for DACA recipients, echoing the plea made by Bradley, a representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Bradley underscores the value that Dreamers bring to the economy, stating that they create jobs, contribute to growth, and are hardworking individuals who should not be forced out of their jobs, schools, and communities.

If Congress does not pass a permanent legislative solution to protect DACA recipients, there are significant potential economic consequences. A report from FWD finds that without a law protecting Dreamers, there will be severe economic consequences. According to the report, DACA recipients pay an estimated $9.4 billion annually in taxes and fill over 340,000 essential jobs in sectors like agriculture, education, and health care.

Ending the program and deporting recipients could also cost U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) up to $21 billion. Moreover, repeal or termination could harm the broader U.S. economy by removing a substantial workforce and decreasing tax revenues.

One such Dreamer is Javier Velazquez, a successful entrepreneur in Georgia. Velazquez employs six Americans and helps over 100 small businesses in the U.S. and Canada grow their digital footprint. If his company disappears, one job is gone, and six other Americans' jobs are gone. Multiply that by about 800,000 DACA recipients, and the potential economic impact becomes staggering.

In a poignant example, an IBM Dreamer worked around-the-clock shifts out of his mother's home in Houston after Hurricane Harvey, ensuring the company's cloud support operations remained functional. Christopher Padilla, IBM's vice president for government and regulatory affairs, values the contributions of Dreamers at the company.

As of mid-2025, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program remains legally contested, with no permanent legislative solution enacted by Congress. The Biden administration has appealed previous court rulings that challenged DACA, and the case is expected to potentially reach the Supreme Court, but the program’s status remains uncertain. Meanwhile, DACA recipients have recently lost eligibility for health insurance through Covered California due to federal rule changes as of June 2025.

In light of these circumstances, Congress must enact legislation protecting DACA recipients prior to year's end, or else they risk being deported and losing their ability to work legally. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce implores Congress to address the Dreamer crisis, emphasizing that America was built by Dreamers, and their contributions are vital to the nation's continued success.

1. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, situated in Washington D.C., declares that America has been built by Dreamers, referring to individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
2. Currently, the DACA program, providing temporary legal status to about 800,000 people, is in legal limbo, with no permanent legislative solution enacted by Congress.
3. If Congress fails to pass a permanent solution, the potential economic consequences could be severe, with DACA recipients paying an estimated $9.4 billion annually in taxes and filling over 340,000 essential jobs in various sectors.
4. One successful Dreamer entrepreneur, Javier Velazquez, employs six Americans and helps over 100 small businesses grow, demonstrating the significant impact on the workforce if the DACA program is terminated.
5. Advocacy groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, urge Congress to enact legislation protecting DACA recipients, advocating that their contributions are essential to the nation's general news, policy, and legislative climate.
6. In the realm of politics, President Donald Trump and the Biden administration have urged Congress to find a solution for DACA recipients, recognizing their value to free enterprise and the economy.
7. The potential economic cost of ending the DACA program and deporting recipients could amount to up to $21 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aside from harming the broader economy by removing a substantial workforce and decreasing tax revenues.

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