A federal appeals court delivers a significant blow to the Obama-era immigration policy protecting young undocumented immigrants just days before Trump's return to office.
According to Fox News, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans unanimously ruled that President Biden's 2022 version of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program exceeded executive branch authority.
The ruling, delivered by a panel of three judges, including Republican and Democratic appointees, maintains the current prohibition on new DACA applications while allowing existing beneficiaries to renew their permits. This decision affects approximately 500,000 Dreamers who have been caught in legal limbo for over a decade, facing uncertainty about their future in the United States.
The latest ruling marks the program's third potential journey to the Supreme Court, following previous legal challenges that have shaped its trajectory. In 2016, a Supreme Court deadlock resulted in blocking expanded DACA benefits, while a 2020 decision prevented the Trump administration from terminating the program due to procedural failures.
Biden's 2022 attempt to strengthen DACA through formal rule-making procedures and public comment periods has now faced the same fate as its predecessors. The administration's efforts to preserve the program through regulatory modifications proved insufficient to convince the appeals court of its legitimacy.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who spearheaded the legal challenge alongside other Republican-led states, celebrated the ruling. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with incoming President Trump to address immigration enforcement.
The timing of this ruling carries particular significance as it coincides with President-elect Trump's imminent return to office. During his previous term, Trump attempted to end DACA while simultaneously expressing support for allowing Dreamers to remain in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling's implications. The decision creates additional uncertainty for DACA recipients as they await potential policy changes under the incoming administration.
The program, initially implemented by President Obama in 2012, emerged as a response to congressional inaction on comprehensive immigration reform. It provided temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for individuals brought to the United States as children.
The appeals court decision represents a pivotal moment in the decades-long battle over DACA's legitimacy. While current beneficiaries maintain their status, the prohibition on new applications continues to affect countless potential recipients.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated:
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.
The ruling's timing, just three days before Trump's inauguration, sets the stage for potential executive action on immigration policy. Trump's campaign promises include implementing extensive deportation measures and raising questions about the fate of DACA recipients under his administration.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision against DACA introduces fresh uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants protected under the program. The ruling maintains current beneficiaries' status while preventing new applications, creating a complex scenario as Trump prepares to assume office. As the possibility of another Supreme Court review emerges, DACA recipients and immigration advocates await decisive action that could fundamentally reshape U.S. immigration policy.
