# DACA/Dreamer hypothetical (would you take a "fugitive" Dreamer into your home?) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595 "2017-09-05T22:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/101 "2018-01-23T16:50:51Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Because we aren’t currently having mass deportations of the millions of undocumented immigrants who aren’t DACA kids. There are deportations, yes, but most undocumented immigrants are still humming along, living quietly and staying under the radar. I think the anti-DACA force don’t mind having a vast underclass of exploitable people–they just don’t want them to think they deserve anything. The DACA kids gave their contact information to the government. This is quite different than people the government are not aware of. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/102 "2018-01-23T17:23:20Z")
The government is pretty aware of at least a lot of the 11 million undocumented people living in this country. They could certainly find 800,000 to deport. Lots of people benefit from a vast exploitable underclass. I don’t see why they would disrupt that. Filling it with people that have even more to lose and so are more exploitable–and often better educated, so more skilled–is a feature, not a bug. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/103 "2018-01-23T17:39:24Z")
I’ve never checked ID’s on any of my nieces’ friends who crashed on their spare beds or floors or any of my nephews’ friends who slept in the cars or trailers parked on our property, so I may have well already done this. Generally anyone who obeys the house rules and needs a place to stay is all right. We can find them something to do to earn their keep if it’s long term. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/104 "2018-01-23T17:58:32Z")
No, My neighbors know people back in the Philippines who are trying to immigrate but cannot. Why should this person who’s here illegally get to stay when they cannot? What if I protect this person and they arent so nice? What if they later commit a crime and they find out I was harboring them? ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/105 "2018-01-23T18:02:03Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I voted yes. I used to be heavily involved with immigrant rights and spent a lot of time with the DREAMers. The story was usually something like this: kid lives in the U.S., excels in school, applies to college, only to discover - surprise! They aren’t a U.S. citizen. Not only do they have no access to financial aid, they are at risk of being deported to a foreign country and never being with their friends or family again. Imagine having that life experience at 17 years old. Would you leave the country of your own volition? Abandon your life goals? Like hell you would. > > I personally can’t fathom that experience, but I view those kids as good people in a bad situation and would prefer they stick around. I have a comfortable life and I speak decent Spanish, so there’s no good reason not to help. Since most DREAMers I know had to work their way through college, it would be helpful for them not to have to pay rent. Is everyone of them so perfect? What if you found out the person was a troublemaker? Where do you draw the line saying THIS person I’d protect but NO, to this other person? Or would you? Would you just protect everyone? Do you feel ok if they committed a crime and you are partially responsible because you gave them shelter? Remember that case just last month in San Fransisco where the illegal killed a woman. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/106 "2018-01-23T20:49:26Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Is everyone of them so perfect? What if you found out the person was a troublemaker? > > Where do you draw the line saying THIS person I’d protect but NO, to this other person? > > Or would you? Would you just protect everyone? > > Do you feel ok if they committed a crime and you are partially responsible because you gave them shelter? Remember that case just last month in San Fransisco where the illegal killed a woman. What if you donate blood or perform CPR to save the life of someone and later find out they were a serial killer? Helping someone is sometimes a risk. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/107 "2018-01-23T21:00:22Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Remember that case just last month in San Fransisco where the illegal killed a woman. Actually, no. I don’t remember that. But, then again, I don’t usually watch Fox News. I do know that some red blooded American citizens kill other American citizens every day. I have no reason to believe the crime rate among Dreamers is higher than any other group living here. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/108 "2018-01-23T21:11:49Z")
I can’t actually say for certain what I’d do, but I lean toward yes, just because I’m a contrary cuss if I imagine that I can get away with it. We’re talking about people that grew up here, and really are US Citizens in all but name. I find it to be a shameful and abusive, bullying waste to deport someone like that. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/109 "2018-01-23T21:41:14Z")
After some consideration I voted yes - though it wouldn’t be pleasant for either of us. I live in a small and extremely cluttered apartment with virtually no free space. I also can’t and don’t cook, and wouldn’t consider my stove to be in a safely usable state at the moment. So in an _emergency_ I could sack a person or two out on my living room floor, feeding them the same microwave and deli food I eat. Nobody would be enjoying the situation, particularly if it lasted for more than a day or two. On the upside I at least have enough money to feed all of us, for certain values of feeding. If these people are kids I would be utterly unqualified to take care of them. Even if they’re like twelve. Or sixteen. Or twenty. I would spend the entire time worried they’d mess with and possibly damage my stuff. Not because they’re fugitives - because they’re not me. I don’t let my _best friends_ handle my stuff, so it’s nothing personal. (And this all goes times fifty if they’re kids - I’d be scared to leave the apartment to go to work.) If the cops came to my door I would stonewall, play innocent/dumb, and refuse to let them in without ever admitting anything. However I’m a terrible liar who would broadcast guilt so the cops would be back with a warrant within minutes. Any fugitives would probably be better off staying somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/110 "2018-01-23T22:50:36Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > No, > My neighbors know people back in the Philippines who are trying to immigrate but cannot. Why should this person who’s here illegally get to stay when they cannot? So the solution to our unfair immigration policy is making sure it’s unfair to everyone? Or are you under the impression that when one person leaves the country, the bouncer lets someone else past the velvet rope? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/111 "2018-01-24T00:35:00Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Again, those of you who are willing to take someone in and are patting yourselves on the back, please understand: mass deportation is not the threat. ICE in the streets is not the threat. The threat is people being unemployed or underemployed and unable to support themselves. DACA people won’t need an attic–they will need a JOB, and if you can’t give them a job, they will need money. Unless and until you are willing to provide that, don’t console yourself that you’ll be there when it gets to the “hunted down like dogs” phase. If they are unemployed, they will also eventually be homeless. They likely have no savings, so they will be evicted quickly once they don’t pay rent. There’s a reason why housing them is a financial burden, and why I said that, while I wish I could, I would not be able to afford to help. If they could pay rent, then money wouldn’t be a problem. Most of us can’t give them a job, but that doesn’t mean those who can afford to help out monetarily shouldn’t do so. Most Dopers seem to make more money than I do, at the very least. Hell, a lot of you seem to have six figure incomes. And, anyways, there’s still jobs like housekeeping, babysitting, gardening, etc. I’m sure the richer Dopers could find people something to do, under the table. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/112 "2018-01-24T18:59:01Z")
No. I have my own problems as well as other reasons, none of which I need to justify to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/113 "2018-01-24T19:30:25Z")
Some volunteers who were trying to help prevent crossing deaths in border deserts by leaving accessible water and supplies are being prosecuted: > **[Additional ‘No More Deaths’ Border Volunteers Face Federal Charges](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/eight-humanitarian-volunteers-no-more-deaths-charges)** > > The Arizona State University associate professor facing a felony charge for allegedly harboring undocumented immigrants near the U.S.-Mexico border isn’t the only humanitarian volunteer facing federal… I’d expect that similar prosecution would be likely if the scenario in my OP came true, for anyone who chose to house a vulnerable Dreamer. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/114 "2018-01-24T20:25:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Actually, no. I don’t remember that. But, then again, I don’t usually watch Fox News. I do know that some red blooded American citizens kill other American citizens every day. > > I have no reason to believe the crime rate among Dreamers is higher than any other group living here. OK,[HERE](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jose-ines-garcia-zarate-san-francisco-pier-killing-suspect-found-n823351) is the story reported off of NBC. Get off your high horse that everything comes from fox news. BTW, notice the man was NOT convicted and has been deported 7 times. Thank you sanctuary city! ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/115 "2018-01-24T20:25:55Z")
I vote “no”. I’m not nearly as interested in helping out illegal immigrants, even ones brought here as children, as I am in avoiding a felony charge. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/116 "2018-01-25T00:28:09Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Again, those of you who are willing to take someone in and are patting yourselves on the back, please understand: mass deportation is not the threat. ICE in the streets is not the threat. The threat is people being unemployed or underemployed and unable to support themselves. DACA people won’t need an attic–they will need a JOB, and if you can’t give them a job, they will need money. Unless and until you are willing to provide that, don’t console yourself that you’ll be there when it gets to the “hunted down like dogs” phase. Yanno, this is a good point. I still stand by my statement. I’d do it, if I thought I could get away with it. Maybe even if I didn’t think I’d get away with it and knew I’d end up facing charges for “harboring a whoever” or whatever the charges would be. I don’t really have a lot, but I do have a little, and I’m willing to share, even though it puts me that much closer to a one paycheck disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/117 "2018-01-25T01:45:25Z")
Yes. My grandfather went to the camps for hiding Jews. Am I to be any less? ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/118 "2018-01-25T21:51:07Z")
> [@Annoying\_Buzz](#): > > Yes. > > My grandfather went to the camps for hiding Jews. Am I to be any less? Again, this is NOT the same thing. Most dont get deported anyways unless they commit some crime. And what if the person does something wrong with your kid or steals from you or gets drunk and does something? What is they mess with your neighbors? Your really setting yourself up for liability. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/119 "2018-01-25T21:57:05Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Again, this is NOT the same thing. > > Most dont get deported anyways unless they commit some crime. > > And what if the person does something wrong with your kid or steals from you or gets drunk and does something? What is they mess with your neighbors? > > Your really setting yourself up for liability. The hypothetical _specifically stated_ that (1) your fugitive would totally get deported and (2) that a close friend or relative vouched that the fugitive would be a good houseguest. I get that this isn’t the same thing as if the US government was hypothetically going to send them to concentration camps and murder them, but that’s no reason to fight the hypothetical. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595/120 "2018-01-25T21:57:43Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Again, this is NOT the same thing. > > Most dont get deported anyways unless they commit some crime. Well, that seems to be the common belief. [The reality](http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-42667659/the-missing-consequences-of-trump-s-immigration-crackdown) is different, however. They are identified, they are arrested, they are deported. This. Is. Happening. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daca-dreamer-hypothetical-would-you-take-a-fugitive-dreamer-into-your-home/795595.md?page=7)