Pasadenans, Including Local Student Among Those Who Brought Lawsuit, Celebrate Supreme Court DACA Ruling

Many local residents on Thursday celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 DACA decision which found that the Trump administration wrongly ended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the court’s liberal judges in the ruling. The majority in the ruling called the decision to terminate the program an “arbitrary” and “capricious” violation of the law.

Under DACA— implemented under President Barack Obama — 650,000 immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, often called Dreamers, can live and work in the country without fear of deportation.

Fullerton Seminary was especially excited about the decision. Student Norma Ramirez was one of the 11 plaintiffs suing the Trump administration.

“Ramirez has demonstrated tremendous resolve and determination as she has pursued the call of her life’s work, even in the face of a future that has been uncertain,” the seminary said in a statement on Thursday.

“In this case, Ramirez fought for justice on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients who have often had to live in fear and uncertainty as their fate rested with a mercurial judicial system. We are proud of and thankful for her.”

The release said the decision provides one less barrier for our students to navigate as they work towards realizing their dreams of achieving a degree, certificate or transfer.

Repealing DACA was a major part of Trump’s campaign platform during the 2016 election.

The ruling did not determine that the Trump administration violated the constitution, but instead said the administration violated procedure. It does not rule out future attempts to terminate the program, and may even establish a road map to end DACA.

“The US Supreme Court has rejected the termination of DACA program,” said Yuny Parada. “The Latino community has been provided with a breathing room. We must recommit to nothing less than a comprehensive immigration reform.”

President Trump’s immigration policies have been at the forefront of the national conversation. During the campaign, Trump promised to ban Muslims from entering the country and vowed to build a wall between the US and Mexico. He also promised to deport millions of immigrants living in the country illegally.

“They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with them,” Trump said during the campaign. “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”

As part of Trump’s zero tolerance policy on immigration, homeland security caged hundreds of children legally seeking asylum with their parents.
“The Supreme Court ruling today on DACA came as a huge relief — for now — for so many young Dreamers, and for those of us who appreciate the value they provide to our country,” said Stella Murga, executive director of Adelante Youth Alliance.

“This ruling, however, was based on the ‘arbitrary and capricious’ way the case was made by the Trump administration. I’m not an expert on DACA, and it would be best to hear from someone directly impacted. But I can tell you that from my 20 + years of working with and guiding young people to prepare for their futures, DACA provides students with a positive way forward to achieve their educational and career goals. This country has always relied on them as ‘essential workers’, as they continue to help feed and build this country and its economy, often sacrificing their own health and wellbeing so that the rest of us can live our lives with as little disruption as possible.

What is needed now is a permanent solution for them – a path to citizenship!”

Officials at Pasadena City College were also celebrating the ruling.

“Pasadena City College is extremely thrilled with the decision by the Supreme Court to protect our DACA Students,” said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, Pasadena City College assistant superintendent/vice president, student services.

“We have a Center for Undocumented Students and LGBTQ Students called QUEST as well as a Safe Zone Coalition which provides a Safe and Brave Space for our PCC Students to connect and obtain support as they sometimes live in the shadows.”

The ruling is the second loss by Trump this week. Earlier the court ruled that employers cannot fire their employees because they are LGBTQ.

Unless Trump wins a second term this could be his last shot at overturning one of President Barack Obama’s signature policies. The Presidential Election is less than five months away, and Trump trails Democratic challenger Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s Vice President.

“Eight years ago this week, we protected young people who were raised as part of our American family from deportation. Today, I’m happy for them, their families, and all of us,” Obama said in a tweet. “We may look different and come from everywhere, but what makes us American are our shared ideals.”