DHS Urges DACA Recipients to Self-Deport, Sparking Alarm Among Immigrant Advocates

The Big Picture

The Department of Homeland Security is now openly suggesting that recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program should voluntarily leave the United States. As reported by NPR, this shift in tone has sparked concern across immigrant rights groups and policy observers, who view it as part of a broader effort to undermine the Obama-era initiative without formally ending it.

Federal Statement Raises Concerns

In a statement provided to NPR, DHS assistant press secretary Tricia McLaughlin said:

She added, “We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way.”

NPR noted this marks a significant departure from past messaging. Although former President Donald Trump originally campaigned to terminate DACA, he had later softened his stance. The latest remarks, however, suggest an administrative pivot to pressure DACA recipients without directly repealing the program.

Policy Shifts Undermine DACA Protections

As outlined in the NPR report, recent actions by federal agencies have compounded fears among Dreamers:

• The Department of Health and Human Services ruled in June that DACA recipients are no longer eligible for the federal healthcare marketplace.
• The Department of Education has initiated investigations into universities offering financial aid to undocumented students.
• Several DACA recipients have reportedly been detained by immigration officers, stoking concern that enforcement priorities are shifting.

Advocates Respond

Immigration advocates are warning that the program’s integrity is under threat. NPR quoted Anabel Mendoza, communications director for United We Dream, saying:

DACA was created by executive action in 2012 to provide temporary relief from deportation and work permits to certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. It does not offer a path to permanent status and must be renewed every two years.

Legal Limbo and Uncertain Futures

Claire McNulty, a former DHS official who helped implement DACA, told NPR the program was originally intended to prevent deportations and remove eligible individuals from active enforcement.

Although DACA remains in place legally, advocates interviewed by NPR warn that the administration’s rhetoric and policy decisions could deter renewals and increase deportation risks, effectively weakening the program’s protections without triggering legal intervention.

The Bottom Line

For over 600,000 Dreamers, the DHS statement—as reported by NPR—is a stark warning. Their status, already temporary and legally uncertain, now faces increasing threats from administrative backchannels. Unless Congress enacts permanent protections, the path forward remains fraught with instability.

This article is based on a report published by NPR.

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