Daca Dreamers' Sacrifice: Lives Lost In Iraq And Afghanistan

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. While there is no specific data on the number of DACA dreamers who have died in these conflicts, it is known that about 900 DACA recipients are currently serving in the military or have signed contracts to serve. The DACA program, established by President Obama in 2012, has allowed nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children to pursue education, work, and military service. However, the program has faced opposition and changes in policy, impacting the ability of DACA recipients to serve in the military.

The number of DACA recipients serving in the military

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has allowed certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to remain in the country. However, DACA recipients are currently barred from joining the US military.

In 2014, President Obama opened up the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program to DACA recipients, offering them a path to citizenship. However, by 2016, security threats within the program had been identified, and the military stopped accepting new recruits. Those already enlisted were subjected to increased vetting, resulting in indefinite waiting periods.

In 2017, the Trump administration announced it would end the DACA program, affecting around 800,000 immigrants. The Pentagon stated that fewer than 900 people currently serving in the military or who had signed contracts to serve were benefiting from the DACA program. These individuals were part of the MAVNI pilot program, which selects legal immigrants with vital skills to serve in the military, such as physicians, nurses, and experts in Middle Eastern and Asian languages.

Despite the efforts of some lawmakers to introduce legislation that would allow DACA recipients to join the military, there is currently no pathway for them to do so. As of 2024, the DACA program itself hangs in the balance, with Congress yet to act on providing a clear pathway to citizenship for these individuals.

The number of DACA dreamers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has allowed nearly 800,000 "Dreamers" to participate, out of an estimated 1.3 million who were eligible. DACA recipients are young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

Under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, DACA recipients could enlist in the military and complete basic training to earn a path to citizenship. However, in 2016, the military identified security threats within the program and stopped accepting new recruits. As a result, about 900 DACA recipients are currently serving in the military or have signed contracts to serve, while around 300 are still awaiting basic training.

While there is no specific information on the number of DACA recipients who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is estimated that over 7,000 U.S. service members have died in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. This includes deaths caused by combat, vehicle crashes, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides.

In addition to the human cost of these wars, there have also been fatalities among private contract workers. The Pentagon has not provided a full accounting of contractor deaths, but it is estimated that over 8,000 contractors working for the U.S. have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these contractors were citizens of other countries, and their deaths may not have been fully reported.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a significant loss of life, including U.S. service members, contractors, and civilians. While the number of DACA recipients who have died in these conflicts is not known, their participation in the military has provided them with a path to citizenship and a way to serve the country they call home.

The impact of DACA repeal on the US military

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has allowed nearly one million people to remain in the United States and pursue work, education, and military service. However, the program has faced legal challenges and threats of repeal, which would have significant impacts on the US military.

Firstly, DACA recipients have valuable skills that are highly sought after by the military. Many DACA recipients have language skills in high demand by the military, such as Korean, Russian, Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, and Farsi. These languages are crucial for military engagements and operations in countries like Syria, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Additionally, DACA recipients have healthcare and STEM training, which are also areas where the military faces recruitment challenges.

Secondly, the repeal of DACA would result in the deportation of thousands of young men and women who volunteered to serve in the military. This would not only be a breach of promise to these individuals but also a loss of talented recruits for the military. The military is already facing recruitment shortages, and the deportation of DACA recipients would further exacerbate this issue.

Thirdly, the elimination of DACA would have negative economic impacts. DACA recipients contribute significantly to the US economy, with an annual income of $19.9 billion and a higher likelihood of becoming entrepreneurs compared to US-born workers. The loss of these individuals from the workforce would result in job losses and economic setbacks for communities across the country.

Finally, the repeal of DACA would cause family separation and put DACA recipients at immediate risk of deportation. Many DACA recipients have spouses and children who are US citizens, and ending DACA would mean that these families could be torn apart.

In conclusion, the repeal of DACA would have a detrimental impact on the US military. The loss of skilled individuals, the deportation of volunteers, negative economic consequences, and family separations would all contribute to a weakened military and national security. It is crucial to recognize the contributions of DACA recipients and to provide a pathway for them to serve and protect their adopted country.

The number of US troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan

The US military death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan has been high, with over 7,000 troops killed in the post-9/11 wars in these countries and elsewhere. The number of US troops who have died in the War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, was 2,459, with 1,922 of these deaths resulting from hostile action. In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also died in Afghanistan.

The US military has also suffered significant losses in Iraq, with 4,550 deaths reported. These numbers only account for direct deaths and do not include indirect deaths caused by a loss of access to essential resources like food, water, health facilities, etc.

The death toll among US contractors working in Iraq and Afghanistan is also substantial. Over 8,000 contractors have died in these two war zones, with 3,793 in Iraq and 3,937 in Afghanistan.

The impact of these wars extends beyond those who have lost their lives, as hundreds of thousands of US and allied service members have been wounded in combat or indirectly died as a result of injuries sustained in the war zones. The suicide rate among US service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars is also alarming, with over 30,000 suicides reported—more than four times the number of combat deaths.

The number of civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a significant loss of civilian lives. While the exact number of civilian deaths is unknown, various sources provide estimates that shed light on the magnitude of the issue.

According to the Costs of War Project, between 182,272 and 204,575 civilians lost their lives in Iraq due to violence from March 2003 to October 2018. This estimate is considered a conservative one, as the true number of civilian deaths is likely higher due to the challenges of documenting deaths in conflict zones. The war in Afghanistan has also taken a devastating toll, with approximately 38,480 civilians killed as a direct result of war violence.

The total number of civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan is even higher when considering indirect deaths caused by the destruction of hospitals, infrastructure, and environmental contamination. The impact of the wars extends beyond direct fatalities, as millions of people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries or facing the challenges of internal displacement.

The human cost of these wars is immense, and the true extent of the loss may never be fully known or recognized. The lack of transparency and suppression of information by the Defense Department further complicates the process of understanding the full scope of civilian casualties.

The consequences of these wars extend beyond the numbers, as each life lost represents a profound tragedy. The impact of these deaths on the families, communities, and the social fabric of these countries cannot be quantified.

Overall, the civilian death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan is staggering, and the true number may never be fully ascertained due to the challenges of data collection and suppression of information. The human cost of war extends beyond direct fatalities, as millions of people have been forcibly displaced, and countless more have had their lives irrevocably altered by the devastation wrought by these conflicts.

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