Washington, D.C. – Today, Judge Hanen of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas ruled against DACA in the Texas v United States case.
Despite Judge Hanen’s latest ruling, the Fifth Circuits’ original standing on the DACA program remains until they issue a new decision. Hanen’s decision does not impact current DACA recipients or their renewals, nor does it change or expand eligibility.
Bruna Sollod, Senior Political Director of United We Dream, said:
“For years now anti-immigrant politicians have tried to end DACA and sow chaos for millions of people and their families. Hanen’s decision is the latest move as part of the cruel and strategic attack on the freedom to work and be protected from deportation. But immigrants have always fought back, today is no different.
The uncertainty that DACA recipients endured over the years has caused distress and turmoil in the everyday lives of millions of people; DACA recipients, DACA eligible youth, and the people who care about them. We need more than DACA and the constant legal back and forth in the courts has highlighted the program’s jarring gaps. Time and again, when we see DACA being chipped away at, we hear calls from politicians about passing citizenship. We need Congress and President Biden to turn those words into action through legislation and protections. As cruel as the actions are of those who are fighting to end DACA, there is a similar cruelty in sitting idly by and not doing everything in your power to stop them. We need Congress and President Biden to put a stop to these attacks on our immigrant community now!”
Judith Briseño, Member of United We Dream TX, said:
“The newest ruling by Judge Hanen is upsetting and disappointing. The past years have been a rollercoaster of court decisions that play with the potential outcome of my life. Although I applied for DACA for the first time in December 2020, my application was frozen by this same judge and same court in July 2021.
Getting DACA could mean a world of change for me and my family. I’m currently a student at Texas A&M studying to be a doctor in the future. I need Congress to stop the endless back and forth court battles and make sure I can live with the fullness of opportunities to pursue my future.”
Background: The DHS new rule announced in 2022 has not expanded eligibility, or re-open DACA for first time applicants, including processing applications from nearly 80,000 young people who applied in 2021 and are waiting for a decision on their cases.
