Last week, the President announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This decision places over 800,000 of our patients, their caregivers, and our colleagues at risk for deportation, and would cause irreversible harm to the communities in which we live and serve.
Rescinding DACA could cause hundreds of thousands to avoid seeking medical care out of fear of their legal status. It would separate families and threaten the mental health and development of children in destabilized households. It would deprive our hospitals and clinics of dedicated providers with the cultural competence and language skills needed to serve our diverse patient populations.
We can’t afford to let politics threaten the health of our patients and communities. Here’s what we can do now to speak out:
- Sign our open letter HERE and join us in urging Congress to pass legislation that protects DACA recipients. This letter and submitted comments will be delivered to Congress in October.
- Call your representatives today! Learn more about legislative options on the table via this factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center.
- Plan an event for the medical community’s upcoming National Week of Action September 25-29 to protest the rescinding of DACA. More details to come!
In solidarity,
Priscilla Wang, MD
Doctors for America, MA
Michelle Lough, MPH, MD candidate
Doctors for America, CA