Washington, D.C. – The Home is Here Campaign released the following statement on the Fifth Circuit’s mandated decision which took effect yesterday. The court’s decision would mandate first time applications be adjudicated across all 50 states, including in Texas. The federal government has not yet issued formal guidance about processing first-time applications.
“There is no doubt that if first-time applications begin to be processed it will be life-changing for tens of thousands of people, but let us be perfectly clear: if and how the Trump Administration follows this ruling is the question we’re all asking ourselves.
With the escalated raids and abductions we have witnessed nationwide, we know that Trump’s attacks against our communities have been ruthless. At any moment, he and his administration could continue their sweeping attacks by attempting to end DACA altogether. We urge current individuals who are considering applying for the first time to exercise caution, speak to a trusted attorney first, and understand that there are no guarantees under this violent, anti-immigrant administration that Trump will not access and abuse people’s personal data in order to target and detain them.
No matter what comes next, we know our home is here. We will always fight back to be able to live and thrive in the places we call home. The Home is Here campaign will continue to share updates with our communities as we wait to hear from USCIS and the Trump administration so that potential applicants can make the best decision for themselves.”
