Washington, D.C. – Twelve years ago today, the first applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program were accepted. Today’s anniversary is a reminder of this hard-earned victory made possible by immigrant youth and allies who fought to win DACA in 2012. However, today is also a stark reminder of the ongoing attacks by right-wing politicians hellbent on ending the DACA program.
This October, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a court that has historically ruled against immigrant communities, is set to begin oral arguments that will determine DACA’s future. MAGA politicians, particularly from Texas, have threatened immigrants’ abilities to live in the places we call home without being targeted and harmed.
With the 5th Circuit’s decision set to come at any time after oral arguments, the Home is Here campaign kicked off a week of action and hosted dozens of community gatherings, DACA clinics, workshops and more in over 16 states nationwide to ensure DACA recipients and our communities have the resources we need to continue renewing our DACA applications and keep each other safe in the months to come.
Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy of United We Dream, said:
“For the past 12 years, immigrant young people and our allies have fought to keep each other safe against hateful politicians who have dedicated themselves to destroying life-saving programs like DACA and put our families in danger of being separated. The Fifth Circuit Court that has previously put bad-faith politics over our lives when it ruled against DACA in 2022, and today’s anniversary is both a reminder of these cruelly orchestrated anti-immigrant attacks from MAGA politicians and our communities’ strength and determination to fight back and protect each other.
We know that the majority of Americans are on our side and want to keep families together, and that is exactly what we’re making clear to President Biden and his administration. President Biden does not have to wait for the 5th Circuit Court to rule against our lives yet again before strengthening and expanding protections for all immigrants and keeping our families together. He can and must deliver now.”
Angel Reyes, DACA recipient and Long Island coordinator at Make the Road New York, said:
“When my children were born, I promised them I’d do my best to be the best father I could be. I’ve tried every day to uphold that commitment, but with the looming threat of the end of DACA, I worry that I might not be able to stay in this country and see my children grow. DACA protects close to half a million immigrants from deportation and provides us with the opportunity to work legally in the United States. With the future of DACA now in the hands of the conservative 5th Circuit, Biden’s Administration cannot sit around and wait. We cannot risk the possibility of the courts ruling against DACA without ensuring a robust, inclusive safety net of protections put in place immediately for our communities. This program has allowed us to step out of the shadows and become leaders in our communities: we are service members, teachers, healthcare workers, and business owners. We are friends and coworkers and—most importantly to me—parents.”
Douglas Rivlin, Sr. Director of Communication, America’s Voice, said:
“The American people have always been clear when it comes to Dreamers, DACA, and immigrant youth; they want a clear and permanent path to citizenship for these long-term, deeply rooted immigrants who are American in every way. But the attacks on DACA and DACA-eligible populations continue every single day from right-wing leaders, which takes the stance that they never saw an immigrant they didn’t want to make deportable, even those deeply rooted in American families and communities.”
Iliana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising, said:
“Despite clear evidence¹ that DACA benefits not only its recipients but also their communities and the U.S. economy, the program continues to face unjust challenges fueled by xenophobic rhetoric. DACA has empowered hundreds of thousands to pursue education, build careers, and contribute significantly to our nation. As a former DACA recipient, I understand the profound impact this program has on families, including U.S. citizen children, spouses, and dependents. The Texas court’s recent decision has far-reaching implications, extending beyond the 500,000 individuals who currently benefit from the program. Immigrants Rising is fighting for the continuation of DACA, ensuring that its benefits reach those who depend on it. At the same time, we are committed to advocating for comprehensive solutions that support all undocumented individuals, working toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute fully to our communities.”
