Discuss how these policies affect the United States, and how immigration in general is viewed in the U.S.

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American Government – Democracy in Action The United States has always been a nation of change and diversity through immigration. The circumstance in which over 11 million people living in the U.S. are undocumented has been an important part of U. S. history. By Executive action, Pres. Obama instituted Dreamers, affecting young people whose parents brought them here before 2012. They have been able to apply for work permits, drivers licenses and go to college if they are attending or graduated from college, or served in the military. Dreamers need to reapply for status every two years. More recently, the President and both Democrats and Republicans have promoted possible changes that would secure the border and give all those here some path to legal status ( legalization to work, get a drivers license, etc., pay any back taxes, and new fines) and possibly an eventual path to citizenship. While favored by most Americans, liberals and moderates, some conservatives disagree with the policy. President Trump has said Congress must act on this immigration policy or Dreamers for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) would end in March by his executive order. Other immigration policy Trump has promoted is an entire wall on the U.S. southern border with Mexico and increased deportation. Initially Trump said Mexico would pay for the wall which Mexico's President announced emphatically that will never happen. Since Trump is asking Congress to fund the wall and he will make Mexico pay later. He is demanding funding from Congress for a wall before he will sign permanent legislation for Dreamers. Congress did not meet the March deadline and the Administration took it to the Court. The Supreme Court just decided that the President cannot end DACA for now under the method he was to use. Trum p has said the administration will rewrite the order to end DACA to suit the Court and try again. So that is not yet over. The Court also ruled that the President cannot shift money Congress authorized for military expense and use some of it to pay for building a wall. These are two possibly only temporary set backs for the Trump administration on immigration policy. President Obama had overseen the largest numbers of deportations yet, focusing on those with criminal records. Current deportations do not seem to focus just on those undocumented who committed a crime but any undocumented person. Some cities have declared they are Sanctuary Cities which generally means if local law enforcement has arrested someone who later is determined can be released, local law enforcement will not check status and hold undocumented until federal immigration authorities take custody. Federal ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) has not been reimbursing local governments for the cost of retaining the person while waiting on federal action. Some cities feel such action deters undocumented from reporting crimes for fear of deportation. Federal ICE authorities feel cities are not following the Constitution which gives immigration policy to federal government. More recently the Trump administration carried out a policy of separating parents entering the U.S. at the Southern border illegally or arriving seeking asylum from their children. This action was met with significant protest and negative reactions here in the U.S. and in global public opinion among allies as well. The policy was ended but the administration has not yet been able to reunite all children with their parents some of whom were already deported without their child. A federal Court ruled that children must be released from immigration detention due to conditions during the corona virus epidemic. Another Federal Court ruled making it more difficult for people already here to stay while seeking asylum protection, which favored Trump’s policies. Also the Court has ruled on Dreamers which still leaves the policy open but its future still is still unclear. Pres. Elect Biden has said he will have a friendlier immigration policy and make it a priority to unite the remaining children who were separated with their families. 1- Discuss how these policies affect the United States, and how immigration in general is viewed in the U.S.
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