By Patrick Bresette and Marianna Montes Moreno
On Friday, July 16th, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is unlawful. This ruling is part of an anti-immigrant lawsuit led by Texas and other states to challenge the legality of DACA’s program. This decision puts the fate of Dreamers in limbo.
What this means: Effective immediately, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services cannot approve any new, first time DACA applications.
People who currently have DACA will not lose their protections. For now, pending renewal applications will be processed normally, and renewals of current DACA recipients can continue to move forward.
The DACA program has improved the lives of thousands of people by opening the door for undocumented youth who grew up in the U.S. to pursue their education, start businesses, and support their families without fear. Often the U.S. is the only home they have had, and they identify as Americans. They are essential to our communities and our economy.
However, Dreamers have been attacked for years and live with the fear of being deported and separated from their loved ones.
The Children’s Defense Fund–Texas condemns this ruling and urges Congress to act now. The only way to protect Dreamers and hundreds of thousands of immigrants who call our country home is a pathway to citizenship.
Our leaders must not delay in creating a fix for young people that allows them to harness their potential, live their lives without fear, and dream.
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