In this episode of the Upamaka Update, host Uma Upamaka discusses the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, public opinion of the program and Donald Trump’s influence on the program’s future. DACA has been active since 2012, when President Obama enacted the controversial program. What began as a safety program for those who arrived in this country became the center of political debates in the United States.

Much of the controversy began along the course of Trump’s campaign. In August of 2016, just before he got elected President, Trump states,”We will immediately terminate President Obama’s two illegal executive amnesties, in which he defied federal law and the constitution to give amnesty to approximately 5 million illegal immigrants.” This statement immediately worried the nearly 800,000 immigrants covered under the DACA program. Many who are protected under the program have been here since their youth, and as such, know America as their home. On this podcast, Upamaka discusses the various standpoints on the issue, and tries to gain insight into the controversy surrounding it.