Friday, Jul 16, 2021

NPNA: U.S. Senate Must Act After Judge Hanen Halts New DACA Applications

Today, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the Southern District of Texas placed a permanent injunction on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The decision blocks initial DACA applications. But it allows people who currently have DACA to keep their DACA status and work authorization. The decision also allows those whose initial DACA applications were already granted to keep DACA but prevents U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from processing applications that the agency has not approved yet. As of May 31, there were over 60,000 initial DACA applicants who were stuck in the backlog before USCIS. Of those applicants who were not approved, today’s decision prevents them from obtaining DACA. 

The following is a statement from Nicole Melaku, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans:

“The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) calls on Congress to immediately pass legislation creating a path to citizenship for immigrant youth, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farm and essential workers, and others, through reconciliation if necessary. The previous administration tried to terminate DACA, Judge Hanen rubber-stamped that cruelness today, and some Congressional members continue to scapegoat immigrants instead of recognizing their critical roles in our communities. But our communities fought back, and we now need leadership by President Biden and Congress. A path to citizenship for immigrant youth is supported by a majority of the American public, included in several citizenship bills under consideration by the United States Congress. It’s the only way to permanently protect the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants vital to our communities, society, and economic recovery. 

Today’s decision only underscores the need for Congress to act immediately to create a path to citizenship for DACA recipients, TPS holders, and farm and essential workers. Our loved ones, family and community members, essential workers, and tens of thousands of immigrant youth’s lives are at stake. The time for delays is over. President Biden and Congress must deliver.”