JAC Urges for Permanent Solutions to Protect Undocumented Youth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ORLEANS—Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the State of Texas in Texas v. USA, the federal case challenging the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Below is a statement from Karen Tumlin, founder and director of Justice Action Center:
“Today’s Fifth Circuit’s ruling on DACA is yet another example of efforts by elected officials in states like Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana to misuse the judicial system to scapegoat and endanger immigrant communities. Since Biden took office, such states have mounted legal attacks in an attempt to continue Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda on a national scale, on the wind down of Title 42, Remain in Mexico, and more. But we know it was the steadfast advocacy by undocumented youth that made DACA a reality a decade ago, and the strength and resilience of that community continues to fight for a life with dignity in the United States — the only country they’ve ever called home.
“As of now, current DACA recipients should know that this Fifth Circuit ruling changes nothing about their status, and that existing work authorizations are still valid. Renewals also continue, but first-time applicants are sadly still blocked from the program.
“But DACA recipients shouldn’t have to live life in two-year increments between renewals, or from court case to court case. In other words, the 2012 DACA program currently being challenged in court is not enough. Rather than pushing for a more inclusive, modern DACA that allows more people to reap the transformative effects of the program, immigrants and advocates are being forced to defend the original, now-outdated version of program as the result of these judicial attacks.
“No one should have to live from court case to court case. Congress must act swiftly and decisively to codify DACA and offer real, permanent solutions for immigrant youth that would benefit them, their communities, and the country. Meanwhile, JAC will continue to follow the lead of undocumented youth in fighting for the humane and common-sense protections they deserve.”