Obama speaks out on how US can be a 'nation of immigrants and a nation of laws'

Former US President Barack Obama reflected on the 13th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, highlighting both its achievements and the urgent need to protect young immigrants. He posted on X, “Thirteen years ago, my administration acted to protect young people who were American in every single way but one: on paper.”

Launched in June 2012, DACA was a major executive decision aimed at allowing undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children—known as “Dreamers”—to live, study, and work without fear of deportation. The program underscored the idea that the US can be both “a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws,” as Obama reiterated in his post.

In his message, Obama emphasised the human cost of political rhetoric targeting immigrant families. He stressed that while Dreamers simply want to “live, work, and support their communities,” many face demonization and hostility.



He also called for fixing the US immigration system, urging lawmakers to balance legal enforcement with humane treatment: “We can fix our broken immigration system while still recognizing our common humanity and treating each other with dignity and respect. In fact, it’s the only way we ever will.”

Obama’s post comes amid continued legal challenges and policy debates over the turmoil coming forth for the immigrants and international students in the US.

Obama’s reflection aims to reinforce DACA’s achievements, helping hundreds of thousands of Dreamers pursue education, build careers, and contribute to the economy-while reminding policymakers of the enduring values behind the program.