Latino Groups Mark One-Year Anniversary Of Deferred Action Policy

Wisconsin Latino groups are marking the one-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The groups do so as they ask Congress for immigration reform and question whether racism is slowing down a bill on Capitol Hill.

DACA allows undocumented people brought into the United States as children to register and stay in the country without fear of deportation and, if qualified, obtain a driver’s license.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student Gerardo Alvarado was born in Mexico and came to the United States 19 years ago. He says since being approved for DACA in January, life has been better.

“It has enabled me to go places without fear of getting arrested for not having a license,” he says. “It has enabled me to feel comfortable about applying to places where I know they’re not going to deny me a job based on the fact that I don’t have Social Security.”

Alvarado says Congress still needs to pass an immigration bill that creates a path to citizenship for others in the United States. The measure is currently on hold in the House.

Darryl Morin of the League of United Latin American citizens says that in the last few weeks there have been several public outbursts against immigrants. That includes Steven Kreiser, a now fired executive at the state Department of Transportation, who wrote in a Facebook post regarding undocumented immigrants: “You may see Jesus when you look at them. I see Satan”

Morin, and groups like the NAACP, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and others wonder if a climate of racism created by a small minority of whites is keeping the immigration bill from President Barack Obama’s desk. House leaders may get to answer the question next month, when Congress goes back in session.