Guest Opinion | Congresswoman Judy Chu: Court Decision Declaring DACA Unlawful is Morally Wrong

Yesterday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas v. United States ordered a lower court review of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While this ruling upholds the initial findings of U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen that DACA is illegal, the program remains intact for current recipients. In August, the Biden Administration finalized a rule to codify the DACA program that was subject to public comments as part of a formal rule-making process. This rule is set to go into effect on October 31st. The Appeals Court has asked the lower court to review its decision based on the revisions in the Administration’s new rule. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:

“Yesterday’s court decision declaring DACA unlawful is morally wrong and puts the future of 600,000 DACA recipients across the country in jeopardy. While the ruling does keep the existing program in place, it’s never been more critical for the Senate to act on the House-passed Dream and Promise Act to protect DACA recipients,” said Rep. Chu. “We cannot continue to allow DREAMers to live in fear with an uncertain future both for themselves and their loved ones. These brave young people are Americans in every way — except on paper.”