SCOTUS Continuation of DACA to Protect Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to continue. The Court found that the Trump administration's decision to terminate the program was "arbitrary and capricious" under the Administrative Procedures Act and failed to consider the hardship to DACA recipients. The ruling allows DACA recipients to continue to receive the protections and benefits of the program.

The ruling culminates a years-long legal battle following the Trump administration's September 2017 order to end protections for nearly 800,000 DACA recipients. Lawsuits challenging that decision resulted in federal courts ordering the government to continue renewing the DACA cases of those who were enrolled in the program while the lawsuits were pending. Today's rejection of the validity of the termination order will allow this important program to continue.

Said Veronica Garcia, Special Projects Attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center:

"Today's Supreme Court ruling to allow the continuation of the DACA program is a victory for this country as it honors the promise made to protect hundreds of thousands of immigrants who call the United States home.

"Still, the need to not only honor, but fulfill that promise remains. It is beyond time for a permanent legislative solution for DACA recipients, TPS holders, and other immigrants at risk of deportation.

"Moreover, as we continue to combat this administration's anti-immigrant agenda, we stand in firm solidarity with Black communities, who are fighting for their lives and demanding the dismantlement of the deeply-rooted systems of anti-Black racism and white supremacy in this country. We recognize that our fights for justice, inclusion, and opportunity are inextricably linked, and we pledge to treat them as such."

Said Katharine Gin, Executive Director at Immigrants Rising:

"We are thrilled by the Supreme Court's decision to allow the continuation of the DACA program, which will allow for a more certain future in the U.S. for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. This victory was made possible because of the courageous organizing of thousands of undocumented youth nationwide, who made visible the positive impact that DACA has had on our entire country. We congratulate them and celebrate this victory with them.

While this decision is certainly a win, DACA was never intended to be a long-term solution and the majority of undocumented youth today are not eligible for the protections and opportunities afforded by the DACA program. We urge Congress to pass immigration reform that will enable undocumented youth and their families to thrive in the United States."

For interviews with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, please contact Arianna Rosales at media@ilrc.org. For continued information and updates, visit ilrc.org/daca.

For interviews with Immigrants Rising and undocumented individuals (both with and without DACA), please contact Katharine Gin at kathy@immigrantsrising.org.