Posted on Friday, October, 7th, 2022 in Newsroom.
The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is another blow for more than 800,000 young people for whom the United States is home. A decade after President Barack Obama signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive action, the future for its beneficiaries is still uncertain.
DACA recipients have waited patiently and worked tirelessly for a permanent pathway to citizenship. They have jumped through every unnecessary hurdle in our country’s broken immigration system. While this decision does not end DACA, it continues to prohibit those who would be eligible from applying and hands the case back to an anti-immigrant judge We know there are young people today who face the real threat of deportation. If the courts will not protect them, congress now must step up to create a permanent pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients.
Anyone eligible for DACA came here as a young child – their struggle for recognition and acceptance has been long, exhausting, and unfair. Now, many have children of their own, and more must be done to protect them and their families. They have built their lives here. For them, home is here.
Three months ago, President Joe Biden moved to codify DACA by finalizing a rule to transform it into federal regulation. However, it was neither fortified to ensure long-term protection nor expanded to shield more undocumented youth. This latest court decision shows DACA is still in danger.
The Edward W. Hazen Foundation continues to stand with immigrants and their families by calling for a permanent pathway to citizenship. Many of the grassroots organizations we support are fighting to protect immigrant youth’s human right to education, healthcare, housing, and freedom. We will continue to support the organizations working to ensure immigrant youth are protected and informed of their rights.
If you are a DACA recipient, it’s important to know you have rights. United We Dream is an excellent resource on how decisions like this can impact you and your family. Together, we must continue the fight until all immigrants find permanent protection to continue living dignified and fruitful lives.
This November, voters must elect leaders who value and protect human rights. We need a humane immigration framework that supports safe migration and protects undocumented young people who are already here. After more than a decade of delay, we understand the distrust of those in power. The Hazen Foundation believes the power for change must lie with those closest to the issues. They are the ones who can shape a more equitable and just future.
We encourage immigrants impacted by the court’s DACA ruling to connect with the youth-led immigrant rights organizations, such as those Hazen supports, to stay informed and draw strength from community: