DACA and Your Business

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy has become a hot-button issue lately for politicians, immigration activists and business owners. The primary concern for business owners is that employees who obtain work permits through the program may suddenly face deportation and leave work sites understaffed. Business’ immigration hiring and employment policies would be sharply impacted.

DACA and its Impact

Established in 2012, DACA is a means for minors who were brought into the United States illegally by their parents to obtain deferred action from deportation while they obtain an education and/or maintain employment. Economists, CEOs, and business leaders around the country have identified a number of adverse effects to the current administration’s suggestion of either outright ending or phasing out DACA.

Among the anticipate negative consequences impacting businesses and the economy are:

• An average of 30,000 people would lose their jobs each month if the DACA program were to be repealed outright.
• A per day estimate of 1,4000 DACA beneficiaries would find themselves unable to work or let go by employers if their two-year deferral are withheld.
• The country would experience an estimated reduction in economic growth by nearly $280 million over the next 10 years.
• Experts place the cost to end the DACA program at approximately $60 million.
• The United States might experience an estimated reduction in economic output of more than $460 billion over 10 years.
• Programs such as Social Security and Medicare would experience a reduction in contributions by $24 billion.

Currently, approximately 800,000 individuals are enrolled in DACA, which provides two-year renewable deferments from deportation.

Pressure on Businesses and Employers

The initial release of figures related to the phasing out of the DACA program and its benefits to program enrollees places an enormous burden on American businesses. Among the issues directly impacting employers are:

• As DACA enrollees lose their jobs companies would be placed under terrific pressure to fill a large number of open jobs.
• Since DACA paperwork is very similar to that which is issued for other visa categories, companies could experience difficulty identifying those workers and find themselves unable to plan for eventual employment gaps.
• The loss of productivity due to employment gaps and the cost to find, hire, and train new workers is estimated to cost businesses nearly $2 billion over two years.

Seek the Counsel of an Experienced San Francisco Immigration Attorney

Reconciling ever-changing enforcement priorities of immigration laws and keeping your business running efficiently requires the help of a knowledgeable San Jose immigration attorney. SAC Attorneys LLP offers client the advice and guidance necessary to ensure complete compliance. To schedule a free consultation call SAC Attorneys LLP at (408) 436-0789.

Sources:

• Hundreds of CEOs are bailing on Trump over DACA, but they need to do more
• Trump’s DACA decision could cost thousands of jobs, study says
• Here’s How Much Money Rescinding DACA Could Cost the U.S. Economy