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Former President Barack Obama took to social media this weekend to mark the 13th anniversary of his administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He called his administration’s immigration policy, which offered temporary protection and work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived to the U.S. as kids, “an example of how we can be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws” while describing how families with similar backgrounds “are being demonized and treated as enemies” under the Trump administration today.
“Thirteen years ago, my administration acted to protect young people who were American in every single way but one: on paper,” his post read. “DACA was an example of how we can be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. And it’s an example worth remembering today, when families with similar backgrounds who just want to live, work, and support their communities, are being demonized and treated as enemies. We can fix our broken immigration system while still recognizing our common humanity and treating each other with dignity and respect. In fact, it’s the only way we ever will.”
The post came as thousands of people have participated in rallies and demonstrations across the country, denouncing chaotic ICE sweeps and arrests ordered under President Donald Trump. Last week, Trump sent the National Guard to stop demonstrations that have been growing in Los Angeles. Over the weekend, several cities also staged No Kings Day protests to stand against a military parade Trump organized in Washington, D.C.
Obama’s Instagram post took on a life of its own, with many people leaving messages about what DACA meant to them. “Thanks to DACA I was able to complete medical school and become a doctor,” one person wrote. “Thanks to DACA I was able to go to law school and I am currently studying for the bar. Thank you,” another person shared.
