Three years after the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was implemented, a study found many recipients have earned jobs but problems still persist.

The study, titled "A Portrait of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Recipients: Challenges and Opportunities Three Years Later" and conducted by United We Dream (UWD), surveyed more than 1,750 DACA recipients, found a large percentage of DACA recipients were able to get new jobs, including higher paying jobs, and are participating in the labor force "in large numbers." More than 80 percent of respondents said they feel more comfortable to achieving their career goals since becoming DACA beneficiaries. Twelve percent indicated they felt no change in achieving their career goal, while 0.9 percent said "less likely."

"Despite these benefits, the survey revealed that respondents still face many barriers in the workplace. Over 85 percent of survey respondents felt that they've been held back from their career goals because of their immigration status and more than a quarter of survey respondents have felt discrimination in the workplace because of their immigration status," the UWD report stated.

UWD revealed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) DACA recipients encountered additional discrimination in the labor force. The report said research from the Williams Institute found that LGBTQ people, on a national level, reported high levels of discrimination in the workplace, and the UWD found similar results in their data.

Among the survey respondents that identified as LGBTQ (8.6 percent), nearly 20 percent said they felt discriminated in the workplace because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, 20 percent of LGBTQ DACA recipients said they felt overlooked for a job because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Among overall DACA recipients, survey respondents said they faced a high rate of financial instability. A quarter of DACA respondents said they were comfortable with their personal income to cover monthly expenses. Most DACA recipients, at 68.1 percent, said they did not have enough income to meet monthly necessities or expenses.

With 61.9 percent, DACA recipients said they help pay their family's bills, ranging from rent and utilities. UWD noted that in many families, DACA recipients are often the only person with work authorization.

Most DACA recipients shared their career goals. The majority envisioned themselves in the health care sector, which includes being a dentist, pharmacist or nurse. A large percentage also indicated their dreams of being in education or training.

"Three-years later, from increased economic and education opportunities to reduced feelings of fear, the effects of DACA on the lives of undocumented young people have been enormous," UWD wrote. "Still, hundreds of thousands more could benefit from the program and have not applied for various reasons."

DACA was created through an executive action from President Barack Obama in 2012. Since its implementation, hundreds of thousands undocumented immigrant youth applied for the deferred action program, which would allow them to continue their education and obtain a work permit. DACA applicants are only eligible if the individual passed a background check, born on or after June 16, 1981, lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, and graduated high school or a GED certificate. The undocumented youths would have to pay filing fees, which add to $465 per applicant.

DACA recipients are not exclusive to Latinos. While most of the survey's respondents were Mexican, other races and ethnicities were accounted for, including Asians and Pacific Islanders, blacks and whites.

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