Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision regarding the future of the DACA program officially went into effect. We do not yet know if and how the Trump administration will follow this ruling.
Just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. 5th Circuit issued their ruling that would allow for first-time applications to be adjudicated across all 50 states, including Texas. Their January decision also included details specifying that access to work permits would be removed from tens of thousands of DACA recipients in Texas specifically. With the decision now mandated, immigrant youth remain unapologetically unafraid of fighting for their freedom to stay in their homes and their communities.
Bruna Sollod, Senior Political Director of United We Dream, said:
“For years, immigrant young people and our allies have taken to the streets and courts to fight back, to demand first-time applications re-open, and that DACA be expanded to all eligible young people. There is no doubt that today is a historic moment with first-time DACA applications having the opportunity to re-open across the country. Today should be a day where we can celebrate unapologetically and without hesitation. But we are under no illusions. Donald Trump will continue with his agenda to target as many people as possible to mass abductions and indefinite detention.
We urge DACA recipients to renew and speak to a trusted attorney for support now. There are no guarantees that Trump won’t still try to end DACA, but no matter what, we know that the majority of the American people support immigrant youth and the DACA program. Whatever comes next, we are ready and will stop at nothing to protect our communities and fight for the future we want.”
