ACLU Statement on Ruling to Reinstate DACA

WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis tonight ordered the full reinstatement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Monday, extending 2-year renewals to DACA recipients and accepting applications from first-time applicants, in Batalla Vidal v. Wolf.

The following is a statement from Madhuri Grewal, federal immigration policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union:

“More than three years ago, the Trump administration attempted its fatal blow to the DACA program, but immigrant youth and the movement fought back and won. After Trump lost at the Supreme Court, the administration in July tried once again to attack DACA — limiting renewals to just one year and blocking overdue relief to DACA-eligible immigrant youth. Tonight, we celebrate another victory. Dreamers, and DACA, are here to stay.

“We are also reminded of the impermanence of DACA. The whiplash dealt to Dreamers and immigrant communities writ large brings to bear a larger issue: the country’s desperate need to create a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented and stateless people living in the United States today.

“President-elect Biden must fulfill his commitment to introduce an immigration bill on day one to pursue permanent relief for immigrant communities. Simultaneously, the Biden administration can and must provide immediate relief to immigrant youth and their communities. After four years of relentless attacks by the current administration and decades of uncertainty, people deserve to live without fear.”