AO1: Obama introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy in June 2012 Of the successful DACA applicants, over half have found it easier to get a job and open a bank account, which is a considerable step forward for the 5 million illegal immigrants in the USA AO3: therefore this clearly shows that the country has moved forward in a positive way to affect racial equality in the country as it has a more tolerant approach to immigration, racial and cultural diversity. AO1: Obama’s Executive Orders of 2014 introduced the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans policy and expanded of DACA The 2014 executive orders further expanded those eligible for relief from deportation and work authorisation, which should increase their income and raise them out of poverty AO3: consequently poverty is a clear marker in race equality, this change signals that this century has made huge steps forward in ensuring that equality can be achieved despite coming from impoverished circumstances. AO1: Affirmative action has been upheld by the Supreme Court Rulings such as Fisher vs. AO2: Texas have meant any remaining inequality can continue to be addressed by the Supreme Court, which recognises the importance of the programme even after the election of a black President AO3: therefore this change shows the clear shift in thinking about racial equality and the intention to continue to improve the situation and build on the positive fact of Obama’s election. AO1: Action against illegal immigrants has been struck down by the Supreme Court In Arizona vs US, SB1070 was struck down, which went some way to prevent racial profiling, ensuring that states could not discriminate against minority groups within state legislation, therefore protecting their rights AO3: thus this is clear evidence that racial equality has advanced greatly this century and that the country has embedded some crucial steps to ensuring that positive advances continue. AO1: The 114th Congress is the most diverse ever. AO2: With 1 in 5 members in Congress from an ethnic minority, including a substantial growth in Hispanics, this gives power to minority caucuses and allows members to bring bills and issues forward that are relevant to their minority communities AO3: therefore this represents a substantial advance in the ethnic make up of Congress that should positively affect how this institution operates, it heralds that a kind of better representation in respect of race will continue in the future.

AO1: The lack of DREAM Act passage, despite electoral promises The failure of this central plank of immigration policy has meant reliance on executive orders, which are easily overturned by Congress or the Supreme Court AO3: this therefore is a failure to protect minorities in the USA and clearly shows that advancement this century has been limited and is ineffective. AO1: The bipartisan ‘immigration bill’ compiled by the Gang of 8 came to nothing Boehner refused to hear the immigration bill in the House of Representatives and subsequent gridlock has ensued. AO2: In trying to court Congress on this matter, Obama has deported more illegal immigrants than George W Bush AO3: consequently this is arguably a step backwards for racial equality and if a black President cannot support racial equality then this does not bode well for future positive advancements. AO1: The Supreme Court has struck down executive orders on DAPA and DACA In striking down DAPA and DACA, states will be able to institute some deportation policies against illegal immigrations. AO2: Any substantive advances must come through Congress, which has been reticent to pass immigration legislation AO3: thus leaving minorities with ineffective protection or advancement and shows that change has been minimal and that Congress is still reluctant to fully embrace racial equality. AO1: States continue to introduce legislation to disadvantage racial minorities Federalism and the size of the US have prevented full implementation of rulings such as Brown vs Topeka (for example in Mississippi, 2016) and a lack of federal political will, coupled with gridlock, is unlikely to prevent this AO3: therefore any advancement seems unlikely as the system is against true racial equality and there are too many issues in the way for advancement to be truly effective (A03) High-profile national tragedies and protests such as Trayvon Martin, the Charlestown shooting and the Ferguson unrest, suggest a perceived lack of advancement. Minorities still appear to suffer at the hands of white Americans and the failure to achieve substantive change to, for example, racial profiling or gun control remains an ongoing issue (AO2), therefore this is a major factor in ensuring that advancement in racial equality will never go far, as the country is not able to embrace it fully and it would require a huge cultural and political shift, which does not look likely to happen significantly in the 21st century.