The Trump administration has intensified efforts to curtail protections for immigrants brought to the United States as children under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, potentially placing roughly 500,000 young people at increased risk of deportation. DACA, which was established to shield these so-called "dreamers" from removal and allow them to work and study legally, has faced significant challenges following shifts in federal policy.

In a recent ruling, the Board of Immigration Appeals, part of the Justice Department, ruled against an immigration judge’s decision to terminate removal proceedings against Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a well-known activist and DACA recipient, solely on the basis of her protected status. While the ruling does not guarantee Santiago’s deportation, it sets a precedent that could jeopardize the stability of DACA protections for all recipients.

This ruling comes amid broader administrative actions aimed at limiting opportunities and benefits available to DACA beneficiaries. The administration has barred them from purchasing health insurance via Affordable Care Act marketplaces and has launched inquiries into several universities offering scholarships to undocumented students under the program. Efforts also continue in coordination with Republican state attorneys general to challenge laws that provide in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants attending public universities.

Recently, Nebraska agreed to end in-state tuition benefits for undocumented students, a move anticipated to significantly increase education costs. For example, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln currently charges out-of-state students over $30,000 annually—around three times the rate for in-state residents. Similar agreements have been reached in Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia, all citing legal arguments that lower tuition rates for undocumented students constitute discrimination against U.S. citizens.

Despite these measures, advocates argue that many DACA recipients have lived in their states for years, contributing to local economies and communities through taxes and civic engagement. The program initially garnered bipartisan support based on the recognition that these young immigrants are economically and socially integrated and provide value to the country.

The current administration’s approach marks a significant departure from earlier consensus, signaling a more restrictive stance toward DACA recipients who previously enjoyed protections that enabled them to pursue education and employment opportunities legally. Critics warn that increased efforts to dismantle DACA undermine the prospects and stability of a vulnerable population raised largely in the United States.