This week, the two active court cases that are threatening the DACA program were both heard in court. On July 6, the 5th Circuit heard oral arguments in Texas v. United States, which threatens the very existence of DACA. On July 7, the District Court for the Eastern District of New York heard arguments demanding relief for the 78,000 first-time applicants who have been stuck in limbo since the Texas case barred them from receiving DACA status. To read more about the status of this litigation and how it might affect the future of DACA, check out NILC's explainer on these court cases.
In light of these court hearings, Allegra Love, the founder and former executive director of Santa Fe Dreamers Project, shares her thoughts and solidarity:
"Having spent much of the last decade helping young people around New Mexico secure access to DACA, there is much joy to reflect on. I could write for days about the privilege of meeting a kid and working with them to get that first, scary application in the mail and then a few months later handing them that precious work permit that opens up so much opportunity. Even more joyful have been the years of people returning to renew their DACA a second, third, or fourth time and learning about the progress of their studies, their careers, their new families, and their dreams. It has been the gift of a lifetime to be a part of their young lives as a lawyer, colleague, or even, in the luckiest cases, as a friend.
But I am choosing to sit down and write about DACA today, of all days, because this morning a panel of three judges at a federal appeals court in New Orleans heard oral arguments in a case challenging the legality of DACA. There are a few possible outcomes of this hearing but it is wise for us all to consider that we may soon be living in a post-DACA world. It is sickening to imagine that so many people I admire could soon be stripped of the basic dignity of being able to work and live without fear of being deported. Watching a woman’s basic right to an abortion get swept away by the Supreme Court last month is a stark warning that nothing is sacred.
I am so sorry that we are here. I am so sorry that our political leaders have failed to act year after year and create permanent protection for DACA recipients and their loved ones. I am sorry that I didn’t fight hard enough. There is still time and I intend make every politician afraid for their jobs if they are unwilling to go to bat for these families– yes, I mean democrats. If things do fall apart, though, I pledge to provide mutual aid to those most affected. This will mean sharing my wealth, helping to create work opportunities, and fortifying the principles of sanctuary in our communities.
The crux of Texas’ argument is that the DACA program creates so much of a burden on individual states, so much injury, that the federal government should not be allowed to sustain it. No matter what the panel of judges say, I want my former clients, my colleagues, my neighbors and my friends to know you are worth it. You are each absolutely worth it and more. These last ten years have proven how providing people with the right tools to pursue their dreams makes us all richer and us all thrive. And you and your families all deserve your own thriving, gorgeous, messy, wonderful lives in this country. I will stand up for you when I need to and always stand in solidarity with you."
