SILVER SPRING, Maryland – Yesterday, Judge Andrew Hanen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the Biden administration’s 2022 Final Rule codifying the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was unlawful. While Judge Hanen did not order the termination of the program or its benefits at this time, the ruling puts the program in jeopardy long-term and threatens the safety and security of approximately half a million U.S. residents who were brought to the United States as children. 

“This ruling is unjust and deeply upsetting,” said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC executive director. “DACA recipients are treasured members of our communities, places of worship, workplaces, and more. They are now faced with anxiety over the most basic of needs: to remain in the only home they have ever known with their families. In solidarity with DACA recipients and their loved ones, we will continue to advocate and pray for permanent legal protections and for a timely, moral resolution to this legal struggle.” 

“We want to reassure DACA recipients and their loved ones: this ruling has not changed the status quo for DACA,” said Pedro Alemán Perfecto, policy advocate at CLINIC. “This is a time for us to come together as a community to plan our advocacy for the long-term. We will stand by DACA recipients for as long as it takes to achieve lasting justice.”

The federal government is likely to appeal the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court. CLINIC is ready to support our Affiliate network while they assist, inform, and educate DACA recipients and their families as further developments arise.