DACA Recipients Face Increased Deportation Risks Under New Policies

In a troubling development for many in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, recipients are facing increased deportation risks. Recently, Yaakub Vijandre, a DACA recipient and mechanic, was arrested at his home in the Dallas area by federal agents. This incident underscores a significant shift in how the U.S. government is addressing immigration policy under the Trump administration.

Vijandre’s arrest, which took place earlier this month, involved federal agents surrounding his home and taking him into custody while he was preparing for work. The administration has claimed that his social media activity, which includes pro-Palestinian activism, prompted the action. DACA, established in 2012, was designed to protect young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation, allowing them to work legally. Recipients like Vijandre must reapply every two years but, unlike previous years, the current administration appears to be enforcing stricter measures against those in the program.

The increase in arrests highlights a broader trend of heightened scrutiny toward immigrants, particularly regarding social media vetting during visa and citizenship applications. In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), emphasized that DACA does not guarantee legal status and that recipients could face deportation for various reasons, including criminal activity. She noted that Vijandre’s social media posts included what she termed “glorifying terrorism,” referencing content related to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a former al-Qaida leader.

Vijandre’s case is part of a pattern observed since January 2017, with approximately 20 DACA recipients having been detained by immigration authorities. Advocates from the Home is Here coalition, which tracks incidents involving DACA recipients, express concern over this trend. Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, a spokesperson for United We Dream, remarked that while the administration may not be outright terminating DACA, they are gradually undermining its effectiveness.

In another related case, Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a 28-year-old activist from El Paso, Texas, was arrested in August despite holding a valid work permit. Following her arrest, another DACA recipient, Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira, was taken into custody as he returned home with his children. Both individuals were held for over a month, raising questions about the legality of their detentions and the government’s notification processes regarding DACA status.

Marisa Ong, the attorney representing Santiago and Gamez Lira, criticized the government’s handling of their cases, asserting that the administration failed to provide valid justification for the termination of their DACA status. According to her, DACA recipients possess a constitutionally protected interest in their liberty, and due process must be upheld.

The legal landscape surrounding DACA remains precarious. Although the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind the program in 2020, further challenges have emerged. This year, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against work permits for DACA recipients residing in Texas, complicating their employment opportunities. Additionally, new restrictions on commercial driver’s licenses and access to health insurance have further marginalized DACA recipients in various states.

As the situation continues to evolve, advocates fear that the ongoing detentions and policy changes signal a broader agenda to diminish protections for noncitizens. Vijandre remains in a detention facility, facing potential deportation to the Philippines, a country he left at the age of 14. His case exemplifies the precarious position many DACA recipients now find themselves in as immigration policies tighten under the current administration.