Congress must create path to citizenshipCongress must create path to citizenship
In response to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ complex ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA), First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement:
“DACA is legal, right, and in the best interests of thousands of children who qualify for the program or whose parents are protected under the program. Children should not have to endure living from court decision to court decision that puts their well-being and family unity at risk. Enough is enough. Congress has the power to ensure that hundreds of thousands of children whose parents are DACA recipients or are undocumented can be with their families and build vibrant, thriving lives in the United States through permanent protections like a pathway to citizenship. It is long past time for Congress to make that happen.”
On Wednesday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) is unlawful. However, the court upheld the lower court’s decision that while the government cannot grant DACA to new applicants, current DACA recipients remain protected with work authorization and can continue to renew their status. The 5th Circuit also sent the case back to district court Judge Andrew Hanen for further consideration in light of the Biden Administration’s new regulation on DACA.
First Focus on Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.