Military DACA Recipients Await Their Fate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - James and John, recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who joined the military, were featured this afternoon on “The Lead with Jake Tapper.

The 21-year-old twin brothers enlisted a month apart in 2016 via the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program because they speak Tagalog, a critical language. They were brought to the United States from the Philippines when they were 10.

“Just give us a chance to prove that we’re Americans,” James says in the piece.

John is scheduled to ship out on March 5, the day DACA sunsets following President Trump’s rescission of the program on Sept. 5. James has not received his orders. The twins’ deferred action expires in October.

The segment is available here.

DACA recipients who have joined the military are available for interview, as are military veterans who support a solution for Dreamers. The recording of a related Jan. 31 press call featuring military veterans is available here.

“Dreamers are patriotic members of our communities, representing an important part of our military. These young people have critical skills that enhance our military readiness and national security, and allowing them to serve helps tackle current recruitment challenges,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “If members of Congress care about our military, they must move forward on a solution for Dreamers.”