Pelosi Applauds DACA as Ideal Immigration Model
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently referred to undocumented immigrants enrolled in former President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as the “gold standard of immigration” in the U.S.
This week marks 14 years since the inception of DACA, an initiative that provides a form of amnesty to hundreds of thousands of individuals who entered the country illegally as children, allowing them to avoid deportation.
In a recent interview, Pelosi highlighted the importance of DACA recipients, noting that House Democrats consistently advocate for their amnesty, which includes pathways to U.S. citizenship. She mentioned, “These Dreamers will be able to stay in America and have the freedom that is the gold standard for immigrants coming to our country. They’re all about freedom. That’s one thing here. Yeah, it’s drawn from our Constitution and our values in various ways.”
However, last year, a DACA recipient was extradited to face charges in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Leslie Palacio in her home in August 2020. Disturbingly, he also reportedly sought aid from her father to move her body.
Palacio’s remains were discovered two weeks later at Valley of Fire State Park.
In another incident from last year, a DACA recipient received a federal prison sentence for leading a straw-buying operation linked to a Mexican drug cartel.
Reports indicate that DACA’s eligibility criteria are so lenient that thousands of undocumented immigrants with arrest records—including serious crimes like murder and sexual abuse—have been able to secure deferred deportation and work permits.
A study released during the Trump administration in November 2019 showed that by October 2019, approximately 68,000 individuals with prior arrest records had been granted DACA, while fewer than 30,000 had been denied or had their status suspended.
Notably, over 25,000 illegal aliens received DACA even after arrests for drunk driving. Others included around 3,300 with assault records, 1,500 for robbery, and even individuals with charges related to more severe crimes, such as sexual abuse and murder.
