BREAKING: NYIC Responds To Federal Judge's Injunction On Termination Of DACA

In response to breaking news that a federal judge in San Francisco has issued an injunction that allows Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to resume for those filing renewal applications, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, Steven Choi, issued the following statement:

"This ruling confirms, yet again, that it is un-American to turn bigotry into policy. But as expected, the Administration is already appealing it, leaving people who have only known this country all their lives in further limbo, as renewals will likely not be immediately possible. The only real solution is for Congress to pass a clean DREAM Act so that the nearly 1 million people already living and working in the United States can have a future without fear."

The New York Immigration Coalition will hold a press conference call TODAY at 10:30am. Dial in at (712) 451-0761, Access code: 728171#

The New York Immigration Coalition and coalition partners will hold a rally TONIGHT at 5:30PM at Senator Chuck Schumer's Manhattan offices (780 3rd Ave) to push the Minority Leader to include a clean DREAM Act in the federal budget.

Background

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would serve as a permanent solution for those who currently qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), including the 42,000 DACA recipients in New York whose status is at risk. Four months ago, President Trump rescinded DACA and the administration and congressional Republican leaders are attempting to make increased border protections (including "the Wall") a condition of any future bill. Over the past four months, more than 13,000 individuals have lost their DACA status at a rate of 122 people per day.

Over fifty percent of DACA recipients under the age of 25 are on track to receive a bachelor's degree, and in total, over ninety percent of DACA recipients are employed. In the next 10 years, the country stands to lose $460.3 billion in GDP if DACA is ended without a legislative solution. In New York alone, there are 115,000 Dream Act-eligible individuals in the workforce who would add a projected $1.75 billion to the state GDP annually over ten years.

In the aftermath of the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals on September 5th, the New York Immigration Coalition lead a 4,000 person rally at Foley Square and has provided free legal services for DACA recipients.