Letter: DACA program works for our economy and values

When my sister and I were tiny, my parents brought us to America. Although they came legally, their reason for coming was the same as immigrants without proper paperwork — hope for their children.

I learned to appreciate the U.S. partly because my parents talked about the freedoms guaranteed here compared to what it was like where we came from. They also talked about missing the family they left behind, which made them very sad. But my parents watched us grow and take advantage of the opportunities they hoped we’d find here, and they knew they were right to immigrate. America had become our home.

Similarly, it’s the home of another immigrant group, DACA recipients. Unfortunately, some want them deported — even though they have been fingerprinted, their backgrounds are checked every two years, they contribute $43 billion to GDP annually, pay taxes, buy goods and services, and are not eligible for Social Security, Medicaid and other social programs.

Although we have problems in this country, DACA is not one of them. It’s a program that works for the recipients, our economy and our common values. Please contact our representatives and ask them to pass laws to guarantee this program continues.

This story was originally published August 13, 2017 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Letter: DACA program works for our economy and values."