The fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is being considered by a federal appeals court in the latest chapter of a years-long legal battle. The program currently protects over 535,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation and allows them to live and work in the country. The program, first introduced by former President Obama in 2012, has been life-changing for many recipients, allowing them to establish lives, families, and careers in the US.
Conservatives have long opposed DACA, with former President Trump trying to end the program during his tenure. President Biden has relaunched DACA, but a federal judge has ruled against new applications, leading to the latest legal challenge. Opponents argue that allowing undocumented immigrants to remain in the country illegally incurs significant costs in healthcare, education, and other areas. They also believe that Congress, not the executive branch, should make decisions about DACA.
The fate of DACA will likely end up before the US Supreme Court again, with judges on the appeals court panel currently considering the case giving no indication of when a ruling will be made. Supporters of the program, including US legislators and demonstrators outside the court, are calling for DACA to continue in order to keep families and communities together. The future of DACA recipients remains uncertain as the legal battle over the program continues.
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