The U.S. Supreme Court has found that the Trump administration could not arbitrarily terminate the DACA program. CLS has represented many applicants and recipients of DACA. We have found them to be highly motivated, productive youth who contribute greatly to our society. We celebrate this decision with them.
Statistics align with our experience. Most DACA recipients have a job. Approximately half continue to pursue their educations. Many are working in health related professions, working daily to help those affected by COVID-19. Without DACA they could not work. They could face deportation to countries they may not even remember.
Because the Supreme Court decided the case on the technical ground that the arbitrary termination of the program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, it leaves open the possibility that the government may try to comply with the APA in a new effort to terminate DACA. CLS hopes that instead the administration will recognize the benefits conferred on our society by these young people. Rather than try again to end the DACA program, they should propose to Congress that it pass the Dream Act, creating a path to permanent residence for people born abroad who have grown up in the United States.
June 18th, 2020