A federal appeals court in New Orleans has struck down President Biden's 2022 changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) visa program.
This latest decision, made by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, maintains the ongoing challenge DACA faces and opens the door for an appeal to the Supreme Court, Fox News reported.
On Friday, a three-judge panel composed of two Republicans and one Democrat rendered its judgment against an update to the DACA policy instituted by the Biden administration. Initially introduced during Barack Obama’s presidency in 2012, the policy offered certain protections to individuals who arrived illegally as minors. The recent ruling, however, maintains the existing status quo for DACA recipients, preventing new applications while allowing for the renewal of existing permits.
The ruling originates from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and highlights ongoing legal challenges to executive authority in immigration policy. With the recent court ruling, the possibility arises for the DACA matter to face the Supreme Court for the third time. The legal journey of DACA has already seen two previous stops at the highest court in the United States, underscoring its contentious nature.
President-elect Donald Trump, who will assume office in three days, has previously expressed a dual stance on immigration issues, showing both support for "Dreamers" while also advocating for stricter immigration measures. With this change in leadership, further shifts in the policy spectrum concerning DACA anticipate a spotlight on potential executive actions. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a fervent critic of DACA, hailed the recent decision as a significant win in the battle over immigration legislation.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called it "a major victory," stating, "I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump to ensure that the rule of law is restored, and the illegal immigration crisis is finally stopped."
DACA stemmed from a Congressional deadlock on immigration reform, prompting President Obama to introduce the executive action in 2012. Efforts to update and solidify the program, such as Biden’s 2022 modifications, have faced persistent legal contests. In 2016, the Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 over proposed expansions to DACA, thereby sustaining an earlier blocking decision from a lower court.
Despite a favorable ruling for DACA in 2020, when the Supreme Court held 5-4 that the Trump administration did not follow proper procedures in trying to terminate the program, the legal status of DACA remains precarious. Biden's 2022 changes were crafted with the intention of fortifying the program to withstand judicial scrutiny. Still, with continuous legal pressures, the path forward stays fraught with uncertainty.
The 2022 update represented a formal rule-making attempt by the Biden administration, crafted to provide a sturdier legal footing for DACA. Nevertheless, the appeals court deemed it overreaching, presenting a critical juncture for the policy and its beneficiaries.
With this recent ruling, the future of DACA under the upcoming Trump administration remains unclear, especially given his past promises of mass deportations alongside support for Dreamers.
This juxtaposition poses questions about how forthcoming policy decisions will unfold. Immigration policy shaped by executive action faces continuous scrutiny and challenge, signifying the significant impact on the lives of those under DACA.
As the Supreme Court might become the next arbiter on this issue, the landscape for Dreamers continues to evolve with each judicial decision. Advocates, recipients, and policymakers alike await further developments, recognizing the potential for significant impacts on U.S. immigration policy.
Both uncertainty and anticipation permeate the broader discussion regarding the future of those affected by DACA.
The legal saga of DACA highlights not only the ongoing challenges of executing immigration policy through executive orders but also the resilience of the Dreamer community amid fluctuating political climates. Stakeholders now focus on potential Supreme Court deliberations, which could fundamentally reshape the program’s framework once more.
