On Friday, Judge Paul Grimm from the United States district court in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to accept new applications for the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program. The program allows immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors to have some legal protections including shielding them from deportation. Judge Grimm ordered the administration to restore the program to its original Pre-September 2017 status, where the administration decided to no longer accept applications. The Obama-era policy allows DACA recipients to attend school, training programs, and work without the consequences of deportation.
The judge’s order comes on the heels of the Supreme court’s decision to block the Trump administration’s efforts to end the program. The ruling by the Supreme court emphasized the failure of the administration to provide adequate documentation that would justify the reasoning to end the program. Although the Supreme Court permitted the administration more time to provide evidence to justify why the program was deemed unconstitutional. Judge Grimm’s order would restore the application process for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrant minors.
The supreme court’s 5-4 decision had its very own rebuttal by the president suggesting that the merits of the program were not the reason why they sided with continuing the program. On the contrary, the administration failed to bring enough legal justification as to why the program should end. Over a year ago, the Democratic led-house voted on a bill that would allow nearly two-million undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship, including dreamers. Where the Trump and the Obama administration failed, newly elected house members recognized the importance of immigrants to the vitality of The United States economy and culture. The new legislation has failed to reach the floor in the Senate which would allow nearly 10 years of permanent residency for dreamers.
“We are extremely pleased and excited by Judge Grimm’s order, but it’s just effectuating the decision the Supreme Court made a month ago,” said Nick Katz, a member at CASA which brought the lawsuit against the administration as well as other immigrant rights groups. “I hope this order makes it clear to the Department of Homeland Security that they can’t delay any longer. They need to reopen the program.” The United States and Immigration Services agency which is part of the Department of Homeland Security will be reviewing the ruling by Judge Grimms and if it will be implemented.
Although immigrant minors would be able to apply, it is unclear how many would apply as the administration would have access to all applicants’ information. Since 2017, new immigrants who met the criteria to apply under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program were unable to apply due to the legal proceedings. The Trump administration plans on continuing its threat to phase out the program but as the president’s reelection chances start to dwindle, the possibility continues to decrease.
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The best way to assert your rights as an undocumented immigrant in Connecticut is by retaining the help of an attorney with a thorough understanding of immigration law at the Law Offices of James A. Welcome. We know your rights and can provide you with effective legal representation after you have not been treated with the protection you deserve. We know what is on the line and can help you through the process of asserting your constitutional rights. Reach out today at (203) 753-7300.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/17/politics/daca-trump-judge/index.html