The Reasoning Behind DACA

[Mermaid]

DACA recipients are different though. They came here as children, not aware that they were illegal, not having any say in the decision of their parents. They grew up thinking they were American, they contribute to society and pay taxes. More importantly, they can't get welfare or vote (I'm a legal immigrant and I can't do either of those things either). I don't think it's particularly fair to deport them to a country they don't know. We shouldn't punish children for the crimes of their parents.

Irrelevant.  Current law in the usa covers those brought as children.  They are supposed to return to country of origin within 1 year of becoming 18 years of age and can apply for legal status - with no penalty.  I do not believe any of the illegal children are unaware of their status at 18.  At 7, sure, but their families have real reason to make them aware of the status, self protection for one.

It is not fair for the people such as yourself, who followed the rules, jumped through the hoops to become legal residents.  I have worked with both, illegal and legals, and the general theme with the illegals not doing it the right way is it costs too much money and/or it takes too much time.

I have little sympathy for such excuses.  I have worked with people from war zones, refugee camps, poverty, chernobyl, work visa, etc who managed to do it legally, some pooling their money to send one or two relatives, then sponsoring the rest of the family.  Yeah, we are primarily a nation of immigrants, but the overwhelming majority did it legally.  At some point we have to just say enough is enough, you have to follow the rules or face the consequences and yes, these consequences will be imposed on the children you [the parents who brought them here] were responsible for.

What difference does it make? The only argument I've seen is that it isn't fair and that it's illegal. That doesn't hold water.