JFCS Statement Supporting Supreme Court Ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program
In a 5-4 vote on June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to end the DACA program, which provides legal protections and work authorizations to 650,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children.
Chief Justice Roberts reported that the administration’s decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program did not follow proper procedures required by law and did not adequately consider the impact the decision would have on those who have been relying on DACA’s protections from deportations and provisions for legal work. Roberts wrote, “for the reasons that follow, we conclude that the Acting Secretary did violate the [Administrative Procedure Act],” and the decision to rescind DACA “must be vacated.” Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote that the decision to terminate DACA was “arbitrary and capricious under settled law.”
At this time, current DACA beneficiaries remain protected from deportation. Additionally, the Court’s decision returns the DACA program as it was before the decision to rescind was announced in October of 2017. Many officials are now urging Congress to work towards comprehensive immigration reform policies.
Jamie Englert, Director of JFCS Immigration Legal Services says, “This decision means that young people brought to the US as children will not be forced to return to a country most have no memory of. We are happy to support our DACA clients and the incredible promise they represent for our future. We look forward to all they can accomplish now that they have the opportunity to pursue the American dream.”
JFCS applauds the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow these affected children to remain in the United States and will continue to provide legal representation for individuals seeking a new life in the United States.