Celebrating 14 Years of DACA: A Promise That Changed America

Immediate Release - June 15, 2026

Today marks the 14th anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), one of the most impactful immigration initiatives in modern American history.

Created on June 15, 2012, by then-Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, DACA provided temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for eligible young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. For hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, DACA represented more than an immigration policy—it represented hope, opportunity, and the ability to build a future and a life in the only country many have ever called home.

Over the past fourteen years, DACA has transformed lives and strengthened communities across the nation. More than 800,000 young people have benefited from the program since its creation, and today more than 500,000 Dreamers continue to contribute to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the United States. These are teachers, nurses, engineers, entrepreneurs, military family members, healthcare workers, and community leaders who have dedicated their talents to making America stronger. (Kff, Key facts on deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) 2025)

The success of DACA demonstrates what is possible when our nation invests in people. By allowing Dreamers to work legally, pursue higher education, obtain professional licenses, purchase homes, and start businesses, DACA has generated billions of dollars in economic activity. Studies have shown that DACA recipients experience significant increases in earnings, educational attainment, and career advancement after receiving protection under the program. Their contributions support local economies, strengthen the workforce, and help drive innovation across industries.

The economic contributions are substantial. DACA recipient households pay approximately $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes every year, helping fund schools, roads, public safety, healthcare, and other essential public services.

DACA recipients are also consumers, homeowners, and investors in their communities. Thousands have purchased homes, generating mortgage payments, property taxes, and economic activity in neighborhoods across the country. According to the Center for American Progress, "DACA recipient households in their local economies, after taxes, hold more than $25.3 billion in spending power. DACA recipients own 68,000 homes, making $760 million in mortgage payments and $2.5 billion in rental payments annually." Their households contribute billions of dollars in annual spending power, supporting local businesses and creating jobs for American workers. (Center for American Progress, Release: New cap data confirm DACA is a positive force for recipients and their families - center for american progress 2021)

The program has also helped strengthen America's healthcare system, educational institutions, workforce, and economy. Thousands of DACA recipients work as healthcare professionals, teachers, first responders, engineers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and skilled workers across virtually every sector of American life. During times of workforce shortages, these Dreamers have played an essential role in caring for patients, educating students, supporting critical infrastructure, and helping communities thrive throughout the nation.

The economic value of DACA extends far beyond individual families and workers. Studies estimate that DACA recipients contribute roughly $42 billion annually to U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generate a net positive fiscal impact for the federal government. Researchers have warned that eliminating DACA would result in billions of dollars in economic losses and reduce America's long-term competitiveness. (Basu, Report: Dreamers contribute $42 billion to annual GDP 2018)

Beyond economics, DACA has provided something equally important: stability. For many recipients, the program has offered relief from the constant fear of deportation and allowed them to plan for the future. It has enabled young people to pursue their dreams, care for their families, and fully participate in the communities where they grew up.

Yet as we celebrate this anniversary, we also recognize that DACA was never intended to be a permanent solution. Fourteen years later, Dreamers continue to live with uncertainty as the program remains subject to ongoing litigation and political debate. New applications remain frozen, preventing hundreds of thousands of eligible young people from accessing the same opportunities afforded to earlier generations of Dreamers. Meanwhile, renewal delays and legal challenges continue to create anxiety for current recipients and their families.

Today is both a celebration and a call to action.

We celebrate the resilience of Dreamers who have overcome extraordinary obstacles and become integral members of American society. We honor the educators, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and community leaders whose contributions help drive our nation's prosperity. We also recognize the families who have built their lives here and the communities that have been enriched by their presence.

While we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that Dreamers continue to face uncertainty and deserve a permanent legislative solution that reflects their contributions and their place in our nation. We call on our leaders to create a lasting pathway forward so that Dreamers and future generations can continue building stronger communities, driving innovation, and contributing to the promise and prosperity of the United States.

Fourteen years after its creation, DACA remains one of the clearest examples of the power of opportunity. It has strengthened families, expanded economic growth, enriched communities, and demonstrated that when America invests in people, America prospers.

Today, we proudly celebrate 14 years of DACA and the Dreamers who continue to strengthen our nation. We thank those who have enriched our communities, strengthened our economy, and contributed to the country they call home. Their resilience, service, and belief in the American Dream continue to make America stronger every day.

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About Virginia LULAC:

Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Contact:

virginialulacofficial@gmail.com | valulac.org