Trump Calls For an end to DACA: Thousands Expected to Seek Legal and Mental Health Counseling

The Trump administration has formally announced the end of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The program had protected 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. President Trump has given Congress six months to craft legislation concerning the status of these individuals.

According to CNN, if Congress were not to act, and DACA begins to expire, nearly 300,000 people could begin to lose their status in 2018, and more than 320,000 would lose their status from January to August 2019. More than 200,000 recipients have their DACA expiring in the window that DHS will allow renewal.

CNN reports in the five years since DACA was enacted, the nearly 800,000 individuals who have received the protections have started families, pursued careers and studied in schools and universities across the United States.

Our Note: According to mashable.com, American Psychological Association President Antonio E. Puente and other professional therapists have warned that breaking up families could have devastating consequences for victims’ mental health including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic disorder. It is our fervent hope that mental health support programs are available to those who could suffer severe trauma because of this decision.

Source: Gary R’nel

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