It has been twelve years since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy was announced. And since 2017, this policy, which controls the lives and future of over 500,000 DACA recipients, has been challenged in the courts at all levels, including at the Supreme Court.  

The policy allows undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to live and work here without fear of deportation. A federal judge in Texas has ruled that DACA is unlawful multiple times over the years. As a result, DACA is closed to new applicants, but current recipients can continue to renew their status every two years. 

Currently, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing the case against DACA. On October 10, oral arguments on its legality were presented to a three-judge panel in New Orleans who seemed to disagree over the recent Supreme Court precedent. A decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is expected in the next few months along with an almost certain appeal to the Supreme Court.  

Meanwhile, hanging in the balance are deportation protections and work authorization for hundreds of thousands of people across the United States who have built lives here — for many, the only home country they can remember. "I live here. I work here. I own a home here," said María Rocha-Carrillo, a 37-year-old DACA recipient who traveled from New York to sit in the front row of the courtroom as the hearing proceeded earlier this month.    

Uncertainty and turmoil threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers. At the National Immigration Forum, we believe in showing compassion and justice to these aspiring citizens by allowing them an opportunity to earn lawful status and citizenship. Join us by endorsing the Bibles, Badges, and Business statement of principles that advocates for just and compassionate immigration reform. 

It is also time that Congress takes action to pass long overdue legislation that provides Dreamers with a permanent solution. We urge you to continue to call on your members of Congress to act! 

Stay hopeful and committed, 

Oula Alrifai 

Oula Alrifai 
Assistant Vice President of Field and Constituencies 
National Immigration Forum