CHICAGO – Representative Nanette Barragan from California shared her thoughts with YSL News during last week’s Democratic convention, asserting that a Kamala Harris presidency would advocate for enhanced protections for “dreamers.” These individuals are those covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy established during the Obama administration.

“I believe that a President Kamala Harris would strongly support and be prepared from her first day in office to endorse a Congressional bill aimed at providing the necessary protections for dreamers,” Barragan stated.

DACA allows certain individuals with no criminal record and either a high school diploma or military service to avoid deportation (though it does not grant a green card or citizenship) if they arrived in the U.S. as children with their families.

This legislation was initiated in 2012 as a temporary solution, leaving DACA recipients in a precarious situation as the legal status has been challenged in courts multiple times.

Earlier in the year, President Joe Biden’s administration took steps to enhance DACA by allowing recipients to pursue employer-sponsored work visas and green cards, as well as permitting them to participate in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare.”

However, the future of DACA—whether it will be fundamentally changed or further expanded—remains uncertain.

Barragan pointed out that simply having a president isn’t enough to change laws like DACA: “That requires action from Congress.”

A majority in both houses of Congress is essential to ensure that Democratic initiatives, such as the expansion of DACA, can move ahead.

“This is why we are campaigning now, to not only regain control of the House, but to do so with enough seats to make a difference,” Barragan emphasized. “The Senate will also play a crucial role in this process. Nonetheless, we will persist in our efforts to guarantee that a President Kamala Harris offers the strongest protections possible for dreamers.”

“Recently, we saw the administration expand healthcare access for dreamers,” Barragan added. “We will continue these efforts as we await further court decisions.”