FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW ORLEANS—Today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Here is a statement by Hillary Li, Counsel at Justice Action Center:
“On October 10, hundreds of DACA recipients made their voices heard before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, sharing their stories while MALDEF and their co-counsel defended DACA against lawyers for Texas attacking their livelihoods. We at Justice Action Center are proud to bear witness to the power of this movement.
“Today’s decision, while upholding much of the lower court’s opinion, also recognized the strong and enduring interests that DACA recipients have in the program. While the ruling introduces lots of nuance and divides how states may be affected by the legal challenge to DACA, none of this nuance will immediately impact a single DACA recipient for weeks, if not months. To be clear: If you have DACA, you should continue to seek renewals as appropriate, including if you are based in Texas.
“Today’s ruling makes clear that if President-elect Trump ends DACA, it’s because he wants to, not because he must. DACA has survived Republican and Democratic administrations, and we are all better off as a result. But no one should be living in this kind of legal limbo. It’s past time for Congress to provide a permanent solution for immigrants who have already contributed so much to this country.
“As we approach Inauguration Day, regardless of what happens in the courts, the legislature, or the White House, DACA recipients and our communities will continue to remain vigilant, unified, and strong.”
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Justice Action Center (JAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to address unmet needs, empower clients, and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants in the U.S. Learn more at justiceactioncenter.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.