As the storm Harvey comes to an end, reparation teams begin moving in to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the disaster. This recovery creates a high demand for laborers and construction workers, most of which are immigrants and illegal. Even before the storm, there were a lack of workers: according to the Associated Press, members of the Associated General Contractors of America claimed that 58% of its members “struggled to fill carpentry jobs” and “53% were having trouble finding electricians and bricklayers.” After the storm, this demand will inevitably cause victims of Harvey to turn to illegal immigrants for labor.
Coincidentally, on Tuesday September 5th, President Donald Trump calls to end the DACA program, leaving 800,000 dreamers without protection under the law. A few days before, a DREAMer drove hours to help Harvey victims only to sacrifice his life trying to help those affected by the storm. I found this interesting because on Tuesday we discussed in class the situation of the DREAMers. In class, we discussed the fact that DREAMers are brought as children to America, and that they did not choose to come here. Deporting them would be sending them back to countries they do not know. In addition to this, it’s interesting to note that illegal residents who serve in the military, giving up their lives, are granted citizenship after volunteering to serve their nations. If this is so, then shouldn’t the people who are working to help rebuild, the people who are volunteering to assist victims have this opportunity as well?
Trump mentioned in a statement that he “do[es] not favor punishing children…for the actions of their parents,” but that he does believe “we are a nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws” (NPR). To an extent, I agree with him, because our country is based on laws and is based on following the Constitution. But at the same time, I think that there are always exceptions, and that America does not turn away those in need. From a legal perspective, these immigrants came here illegally, whether with parents or not. From an emotional standpoint, however, it does seem unfair to make children suffer because of what their parents did. Although, this begs the other end of the question: if DREAMers shouldn’t be punished for the mistakes of their parents, then those with rich parents shouldn’t benefit from the sacrifice of their family. Allowing DREAMers to stay because their coming to this country was not their own decision is equalizing opportunity, as we discussed in class a few days ago, which should also, in turn, mean that everyone has to start on the same standing, without help or hindrance from their parents.
Additionally, my understanding is that from the framework of the Constitution, only the legislative branch can make laws. Obama, from the Executive Office, granted immigrants opportunities that overrode such legal immigration issues. By nature, Executive Order should be temporary, so if Congress chose to extend DACA, there would be no issue, but allowing DACA to continue as an Executive Order may be overstepping the lines between powers. Overall, it’s unfair, I think, to see this happen, and following this story makes me question what should be done. For me to come to a conclusion, I think I would have to understand more about both sides of the argument and about the nature of Executive Order and such.
Sources:
Associated Press, Immigrants and Harvey. https://flipboard.com/@thenewsdesk/hurricane-harvey-4mg8via9Iz/immigrants-are-sought-for-labor-shortage-in-harvey-recovery/a-NRjDZmtbTICZI5He7jfl3w%3Aa%3A43591897-62f4b3d44e%2Fapnewsarchive.com
NPR, Trump Ends DACA. http://www.npr.org/2017/09/05/546423550/trump-signals-end-to-daca-calls-on-congress-to-act
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