Washington, D.C. — Since its creation in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has been a lifeline to more than 835,000 immigrants pursuing their dreams in America. A new column from the Center for American Progress details the ways in which DACA recipients contribute to Social Security and Medicare funds that support tens of millions of people across the United States.
New data from the analysis include:
- DACA recipients contribute nearly $2.1 billion to Social Security and Medicare each year, making our economy and communities stronger; and their employers contribute an additional $1.6 billion on their behalf.
- In 2022, DACA recipients collectively earned nearly $27.9 billion.
These data are part of new CAP research that focuses on how DACA recipients contribute to the U.S. economy through employment, entrepreneurship, Social Security, Medicare, and tax contributions. In a new issue brief, CAP highlights the stories of three DACA recipient entrepreneurs who, despite barriers, have embraced the opportunities DACA has provided them, grown their businesses, and given back to their communities.
“Congress must take immediate action to fix the nation’s broken immigration system, including by creating a pathway to citizenship for current DACA recipients, those locked out of enrollment, and undocumented immigrants more broadly,” said Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer, senior policy analyst for Immigration at CAP. “Such action would recognize immigrants’ rich contributions to the country and grow the economy.”
Read the column: “DACA Recipients Bolster Social Security and Medicare” by Trinh Q. Truong and Silva Mathema
Read the issue brief: “Despite Barriers, DACA Entrepreneurs Contribute To Their Communities” by Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer, Silva Mathema, and Trinh Q. Truong
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Julia Cusick [email protected]