The fate of nearly 800,000 young immigrants known as “Dreamers” is on the line as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments regarding the federal government’s attempts to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
While the court heard oral arguments for about an hour and a half, political pundits are already saying that the five conservative judges (Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and John Roberts) are likely to rule that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acted within the scope of its authority when it called for the DACA program to end in 2017.
However, the four liberal judges on the Court (Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Elena Kagan) have already made it known that they believed the Department of Homeland Security failed to follow the proper procedures required by law to end such a major program.
According to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, because the decision to end DACA is a choice that will “destroy lives,” a far better explanation than what was provided by the Trump administration is necessary to justify the decision.
Why Is DACA Important?
DACA provides a path to citizenship for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally when they were minor children and has helped hundreds and thousands of immigrants secure social security numbers so they can legally work and pay taxes.According to figures, more than 90% of DACA recipients are employed, while close to 50% are enrolled in school. If DACA ends, those who are currently covered by the program face the possibility of being deported to their home country, even if they don’t speak the language or have never visited in their lifetime.
Major companies, including Microsoft and Apple, are asking the Supreme Court to reconsider ending DACA. According to Microsoft, DACA recipients contribute to the success of the company by helping to create innovative products and services. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, filed a separate friend of court brief, telling the Justices that DACA recipients are “vital to Apple’s success” because they help “spark creativity and drive innovation.” Cook also noted that DACA recipients are the company’s “most driven and selfless colleagues.”
A ruling in the DACA case isn’t expected to be issued until the spring of next year, but our law firm will keep a close eye on the latest developments so we can keep you informed.
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Do you need legal guidance to ensure your visa or citizenship application is properly processed? If so, get in touch with our dedicated immigration lawyers at the Law Offices of James A. Welcome to get the assistance you need. We have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain the immigration credentials they need to pursue their dreams, and we are prepared to use our extensive resources to fight for you.
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