Over the past few months, immigration has been the subject of a lot of controversy. President Trump’s administration is pushing to end DACA, the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” program. It was designed for young people who have been born on or after June 16, 1981 and have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, “Dreamers” as they’re called, in references to the DREAM Act.

The DREAM Act offered immigrants legal status in return for attending college or joining the military. Dreamers had to have a clean criminal record and pass a background check.  The proposed DREAM Act was first introduced in 2001 and the latest version was voted down in the Senate in December 2010.

“We are around the same age as these kids dealing with huge issues that we are so fortunate to not stress about,” junior Jisselle Gerdts said.

The reality of the situation is daunting for “Dreamers” and the consequences lead to a possibility of deportation.

“They have to wake up and confront deportation, it’s ridiculous that our country would rather send them away then help them lead a better life,” Gerdts said.

The United States’ current plan for the immigrants presiding here is deportation. However, the country these young people are returning to is not considered home.

“There are kids being forced to go back to a foreign country they never knew. They created a life here, they deserve a life here,” junior Katelyn McCain said.

Trump’s policies on immigration are known for being harsh at times. Throughout the election process, Trump referred to President Obama’s executive actions on DACA (and DAPA) as “one of the most unconstitutional actions ever undertaken by a President.” To many, this is a rude awakening to the opinions of most voters.

“I think Trump getting rid of DACA is awful. The idea that people support such cruel legal action really affects my perception of this country and who we allow to lead it,” junior Joy Smythe said.

Administration officials have deemed the program as unconstitutional and inadmissible in court. March 6, 2018 marks the day which “Dreamers” may begin to lose benefits from the DACA program.

“Ending DACA takes away these people’s future here in the US. They’ve been here for a long time building their lives and they deserve to keep living them, and even get on the path to becoming citizens,”Joy’s dad, David Smythe Macaulay said.