The White House is “deeply disappointed” after a Texas judge declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program illegal, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement today.
“We disagree with the district court’s decision (…) and will continue to defend this important policy from legal challenges,” detailed the letter.
Jean-Pierre also recalled that for the Biden government it is a priority to protect DACA beneficiaries “from day one” and called on Congress to approve the legislation that offers a path to regularization for more than half of million people who rely on immigration protection.
For his part, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, also clarified today in a statement that, despite the ruling, the “dreamers,” as DACA beneficiaries are known, will not will be deported and their work permit applications will continue to be renewed.
The Cuban-born official, however, acknowledged that the decision of Judge Andrew Hanen, of the Southern District of Texas, undermines the “security and stability” of migrants.
“Congress failed to act and now Dreamers face an uncertain future, hoping to receive the permanent protection they deserve,” Mayorkas said.
Today’s ruling rejects the Democratic Administration’s attempt to register the plan with federal law in hopes of protecting it from lawsuits against it and thus benefiting more than half a million beneficiaries of immigration protection.
DACA allows more than half a million migrants who came to the US as minors to remain in the US without fear of deportation and to work legally.
Activist groups are asking Congress to act to provide a permanent solution to the “dreamers,” making sure it’s only a matter of time before the courts decide to completely end the program.
DACA was launched by the Obama Administration as a temporary measure, but his successor in the White House, Republican Donald Trump (2017-2021), decided in the first year of his term to end it, causing a domino effect. in the courts that led to the current situation.
