This is an area where many conservatives actually agree with the underlying sentiment. Children who were brought here by their parents didn't choose to break the law. Many have grown up as Americans in every practical sense. There's genuine sympathy for their situation across the political spectrum.

But there are important legal and practical concerns that need to be addressed honestly.

DACA was an executive action by President Obama after he himself said repeatedly that he didn't have the authority to do it. In 2011, he stated: 'I am not a king. I can't do these things just by myself.' Then he did it anyway. Whatever you think of the policy, the method undermined the rule of law and the constitutional role of Congress.

There are approximately 580,000 active DACA recipients as of 2023. Most polls show a majority of Americans, including Republicans, support some form of legal status for childhood arrivals. Multiple legislative proposals have been introduced — including offers from Republicans that paired DACA legalization with border security measures. Democrats rejected these deals because they wouldn't accept enforcement provisions.

The incentive problem is real. When the U.S. signals that bringing children across the border illegally will eventually result in legal status, it encourages more families to make the dangerous journey. The number of unaccompanied minors at the border surged after DACA was announced. If we legalize childhood arrivals without securing the border, we create the next generation of DACA-eligible children.

The conservative position isn't heartless — it's that we need a comprehensive solution. Legalize current DACA recipients through proper legislation, secure the border, reform legal immigration, and create a system where this doesn't happen again. A permanent fix through Congress, not an executive band-aid that can be revoked by the next president.