New York, NY-Judge Andrew Hanen, today, ruled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) invalid going forward. In his ruling, Judge Hanen blocked the Department of Homeland Security from approving any new grants of DACA. As of now, the Judge’s order will not impact current DACA recipients or their ability to renew their grants of DACA.
In May 2018, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with six other state Attorneys General, filed a suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The case-Texas v. Nielsen-sought an aggressive and swift end to the DACA program. Appointed by former President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2002, Judge Hanen quickly developed a reputation for anti-immigrant rulings and injunctions. A recent FWD.us report revealed a clear majority of Americans support legalization for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers. The report also outlines that legalization would provide $149 billion in GDP and $39 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Today’s ruling is a chilling reminder that the Republicans’ far-right anti-immigrant agenda continues to outlive Donald Trump with devastating consequences for our communities. Rescinding DACA would be a disaster for America’s health, economy, and legacy. Nearly 50,000 New Yorkers and their families are now at risk of being ripped from the only home they’ve ever known. Judge Hanen’s ruling makes it crystal clear that Washington can’t keep playing politics with the lives of these New Yorkers and the hundreds of thousands like them across the country. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and President Biden must use the budget reconciliation process to finally pass permanent protections for not just these young people, but also TPS recipients and essential workers. We can’t wait any longer.”
Background:
The ruling comes a little more than a year after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled against President Donald J. Trump’s attempt to end the DACA program. For years, the New York Immigration Coalition called for an establishment of permanent legalization for Dreamers. Citing the extreme urgency created by Judge Hanen’s ruling, the NYIC led the state’s immigrant advocacy organizations in demanding immediate action from President Joseph R. Biden and US Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer to protect Dreamers and create a pathway to citizenship for them and their families.
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