KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Survey finds DACA participation in the workforce is at 94%

A new report shows DACA recipients have a high rate of participation in the workforce. The data comes as Congress mulls a bill to provide permanent protection for DACA recipients.

The new report comes from a yearly survey conducted by the organizations Dream.US and Golden Door Scholars, which help fund college education for DACA recipients and undocumented students.

They say of more than 1,400 college grads across the U.S. who received their financial support, 94% are now in the workforce — including some employed at companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Apple. Others are working as teachers, public service workers or run their own businesses. 

The Obama-era program gives some undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children temporary protection from deportation and a work temporarily, but no pathway to citizenship. The organizations say Congress must work to find a permanent solution to help them stay.

Alisa Reznick is a senior field correspondent covering stories across southern Arizona and the borderlands for the Tucson bureau of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk.