My grandparents arrived in America at the onset of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, fleeing a nation where intellectuals and the educated were persecuted. The political upheaval of the time left little room for individuals like them—those who had dedicated their lives to learning and innovation. In China, their education marked them as targets; in America, it became their pathway to opportunity.
Despite arriving as immigrants with uncertain futures, my grandparents remained steadfast in their pursuit of education. Both continued their studies in the fields they were passionate about, eventually obtaining master's degrees. Their resilience was rewarded through academic success and the ability to build careers and contribute meaningfully to their new home. After years of hard work, they became naturalized American citizens, a milestone that filled them with deep gratitude. To them, America was more than just a place to escape oppression—it was a land that welcomed them, provided opportunities, and allowed them to redefine their lives.
The Evolution of Immigration and Naturalization in America
Their story, while deeply personal, is part of a much larger historical narrative of immigration to the United States. In the 1940s, immigration policies were restrictive, heavily influenced by the Chinese Exclusion Act (repealed in 1943) and strict quotas that limited who could enter and become a citizen. The McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 reshaped these policies by abolishing racial restrictions on naturalization, allowing more immigrants—particularly those from Asia—to become U.S. citizens.
Over the decades, immigration laws have shifted in response to political, economic, and humanitarian concerns. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act abolished the quota system, opening doors for thousands of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. More recently, policies surrounding naturalization have become topics of heated debate, with discussions on border security, refugee admissions, and pathways to citizenship shaping national discourse.
Insights from the Heinz-PolyGlobal Event on Immigration and DACA
On Wednesday, January 29, we had the privilege of hearing from Mr. De Los Santos and Professor Reisz during the Heinz-PolyGlobal event on immigration and DACA. Hearing Mr. De Los Santos' story put a face to the experiences of DACA recipients—it's one thing to read about immigration policies in the news, but it's another to hear firsthand what it's like to grow up with the uncertainty of not knowing what your future holds.
The intersection of Mr. De Los Santos' lived experience with Professor Reisz's scholarly expertise created a comprehensive picture of the DACA landscape. While Mr. De Los Santos illuminated DACA recipients' emotional and practical daily challenges, Professor Reisz's analysis of the Trump administration's policies and their legal ramifications helped contextualize these personal struggles within the broader national discourse. What struck me most was how this discussion revealed the stark contrast between policy debates in Washington and their tangible effects on individuals and families.
To Washington, DACA recipients deserve more than just temporary relief—they deserve a permanent pathway to citizenship. These young people brought to this country as children, have built their lives here. They have pursued education, contributed to their communities, and, despite countless barriers, dared to dream of a future in the only country they have ever known as home. Yet, they are forced to live in fear of losing everything at the stroke of a pen. How can we, as a nation built on the promise of opportunity, allow them to remain in limbo?
DACA recipients are not just statistics. They are students, teachers, engineers, healthcare workers, and dreamers who embody the very values that America prides itself on—hard work, resilience, and hope. Every day they wait for lawmakers to decide their fate is another day filled with anxiety and uncertainty. It is time for Congress to act—not just with words, but with laws that recognize their humanity and protect their future.
Sources:
Pew Research Center. "How U.S. Immigration Laws and Rules Have Changed Through History." Pew Research Center, 30 Sept. 2015, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/09/30/how-u-s-immigration-laws-and-rules-have-changed-through-history/.
American Progress. "DACA Boosts Recipients’ Well-Being and Economic Contributions: 2022 Survey Results." Center for American Progress, 2022, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/daca-boosts-recipients-well-being-and-economic-contributions-2022-survey-results/.
Brookings Institution. "Research Shows That DACA Benefits Both Dreamers and Their U.S.-Born Peers." Brookings Institution, 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/research-shows-that-daca-benefits-both-dreamers-and-their-us-born-peers/.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions." USCIS, https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-of-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/frequently-asked-questions.
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