Amidst Shortcomings of New DACA Rule and Congressional Inaction, States Must Move to Protect DACA Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2022

CONTACT: 

Elyssa Pachico  | +1 503 347 23 29 | press@alianzaamericas.org 

Myneilles Negron | +1 703 585 6727 | mynellies@communicationsshop.us

On August 24, the Biden administration issued a new rule on DACA. It will go into effect on October 31 (barring additional litigation), and is designed to protect the program from further legal challenges. However, the new rule does not comprehensively protect DACA from an ongoing court battle, led by Texas and other states, in which a federal judge ruled that the policy violates federal immigration laws. Nor does the new rule expand the number of people eligible for DACA. 

In response, Alianza Americas, a coalition of 58 migrant-led organizations in 18 states, issued the following reaction:

“This is a positive step forward, but DACA recipients like me, and non-DACA eligible individuals left out of this program still need Congress to deliver a permanent legislative solution so that we don’t have to live every day in constant uncertainty, with our future in the hands of Trump-appointed judges,” said Dulce Dominguez, resource development director at Alianza Americas and a DACA recipient. “There’s also plenty that states can do to protect DACA recipients, and ensure that we have access to basic rights. This means ensuring we can get driver’s licenses, access to in-state tuition, and the ability to apply for professional licenses. With the upcoming midterm elections, candidates need to take a clear stand on how they intend to protect DACA recipients and expand protections to those left out.”

Even as Texas is leading the legal challenge that could end DACA, the state has benefited greatly from DACA recipients — there are an estimated 116,030 DACA recipients in the state; should DACA end, Texas would lose an estimated $6 billion annually in gross domestic product.

“DACA has given me a sense of normality… it’s given me the chance to work in my career,” said Daniel Candelaria, a DACA recipient in Texas. “We need a change in the law that enables people like me to apply for permanent residency status, and eventually, for U.S. citizenship. People like me want to become part of the fabric of this nation in every way.” 

(Review Alianza Americas’ advocacy guide on the Biden-Harris administration’s advances and shortcomings so far in terms of immigration policy.)

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Alianza Americas is the premier transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations working in the United States, across the Americas, and globally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America. Alianza’s digital organizing powerhouse is Presente.org.