The talking points used by all sides of the current debate about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program have focused on young people of undocumented immigrants — the harm caused by loss of status, on one side, or the advantages given by the present status and any extension, on the other side. Missing is the is the value of the young women and men to the United States and our economy.
Since each young person’s arrival, we taxpayers have made large investments at all levels of government to turn out a class of hardworking, motivated and educated people who already have made and will, if allowed to stay, make immense contributions to our society. They are now going to college, serving in our military, and entering our workforce. They are among the many who are the future. We cannot afford to throw away their contributions to the greatness of the United States.
— Kenneth Dallmeyer, Park Ridge
