JACKSON, Wyo. — Local DACA recipients may soon be eligible to purchase affordable housing through the Teton County Housing Department.
Town and county elected officials voted unanimously to accept the Housing Department’s recommended updates to its rules and regulations, which includes eligibility for DACA recipients.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is a federal program introduced in 2012 that offers temporary residency and protection from deportation to people brought to the United States as young children without documentation. To be eligible for DACA, applicants need to have arrived in the U.S. before 2007 and before they were 16 years old and provide proof of residency since then, have no serious criminal record, and prove they are in school or have graduated. The Trump administration almost rescinded DACA for the nation’s roughly 800,000 recipients, but the Supreme Court overturned the decision.
Town Councilor Jim Rooks commended the Housing Department for its recommendation. The former high school teacher has taught local DACA recipients in his classroom.
“When we talk about DACA recipients, these are our kids,” Rooks said. “I appreciate you recognizing the legal status of DACA persons. They have legal rights, and to deny those in there I think is a mistake.”
In an emotional public comment, Cinthya Benavides told town and county electeds that she was brought to Jackson from Mexico at seven years old and has been a member of the community for 17 years. She volunteers for the Community Safety Network and at spay and neuter clinics with the Animal Adoption Center. Still, she cannot secure a home. Her current housing arrangement is a trade for pet sitting, she said, and her parents are at constant risk of losing the trailer they rent.
“I want to continue my work here. I want to keep building relationships, enjoy our parks, our trails, our businesses,” Benavides said. “I have so much love to give to this community. You all hold the power that will allow me to do so.”
DACA recipients are already eligible to rent through the Housing Department — applications don’t ask for citizenship. The new rule would allow them to finance and buy a home.
Councilor Arne Jorgensen echoed his support of the amendment and of DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, staying in their homes even if the federal program changes.
“Let’s not hold these members of the community [responsible] for the dysfunction of the federal government,” Jorgensen said. “They’re part of our community. I feel very strongly we should be accommodating them here and wherever else we can do so.”
The public has 45 days from Monday, July 12, to submit public comment.
