The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has helped hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who arrived in the United States as children. While many people assume that DACA recipients are mostly from one or two countries, the truth is much more diverse. In fact, DACA recipients come from places all around the world. This variety of cultures, languages, and backgrounds shows how truly global America’s immigrant community is.
According to the latest data, there are about 578,680 DACA recipients overall. It is true that most DACA recipients—around 468,000—were born in Mexico, which reflects the country’s close proximity to the United States and the large number of immigrants who journey north seeking better opportunities. Yet many people might be surprised to see that other top countries of birth include El Salvador (22,560), Guatemala (15,340), and Honduras (14,120). These Central American countries have faced high levels of violence and economic struggles, causing many families to seek refuge in the United States.
But DACA recipients are not limited to Latin America alone. Several 5,320 recipients were born in South Korea, and more come from countries like Brazil (4,380), Ecuador (4,100), and Peru (5,380). Others hail from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Nations such as Nigeria (810), Ghana (360), and Kenya (510) appear on the list, reminding us that DACA reaches across continents. Meanwhile, India (1,850) and Pakistan (940) represent South Asia, while China (490), the Philippines (2,790), and Indonesia (570) showcase the contributions of East and Southeast Asian immigrants.
Even smaller countries, like Belize (590), Jordan (170), and Albania (210), appear among the data. These figures may seem small, but they each tell a story of families who chose to uproot their lives in search of the American Dream. Some recipients also come from non-traditional or faraway places like Mongolia (360) and Zambia (150) in Africa. Each individual who qualifies for DACA has unique reasons for migrating, such as escaping conflict or seeking better education and job prospects.
This diversity is important because it challenges common stereotypes that might limit DACA recipients to a single region. When we see names like Poland (960), Germany (160), Italy (270), and even the United Kingdom (380) on this list, it becomes clear that immigration to the U.S. spans not just one language or culture, but many. In fact, the presence of DACA recipients from countries like Israel (250) and Saudi Arabia (140) shows that some come from the Middle East, while Portugal (360) and France (110) add to the European mix.
Each DACA recipient’s journey is personal, but all share a common experience: growing up in the United States and contributing to its economy, culture, and communities. By highlighting the variety of countries represented, we can better understand that DACA is not a “one-size-fits-all” program. Rather, it is a lifeline for children of many backgrounds who hope to continue calling America their home. This rich diversity is what makes DACA—and the nation—stronger, more vibrant, and more reflective of our global society.
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