On November 12th, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the set of cases that are likely to decide the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The future of a program that protects hundreds of thousands of DREAMers from deportation is in the fate of a conservative-controlled Supreme Court. Here, our Los Angeles DACA attorneys provide an overview of oral arguments and explain what is on the line in these cases.
DACA at the Supreme Court: The Early Assessments are Alarming
Since DACA was created by the Obama Administration back in 2012, nearly 700,000 immigrants who were brought to the United States as children have obtained protection from deportation through the program. Sadly, the Trump Administration has repeatedly attacked DACA and DACA recipients—both politically and rhetorically. In the fall of 2017, President Trump took action to end the program. However, to this point, federal courts have prevented the administration’s policy from going into place.
The Supreme Court is now reviewing arguments in a set of cases that could, potentially, result in President Trump getting the authority to end DACA. The early assessments are worrying. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, all five members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority seemed skeptical of the legality of the program in its current form.
Chief Justice John Roberts—a conservative who many people expect to be the decisive vote on DACA—appeared to side with the Trump Administration in his questions. Of course, many experienced legal observers caution against reading too much into oral arguments before the Supreme Court.
The Stakes of this Case are Enormous
While the Supreme Court is largely focused on relatively esoteric and technical legal issues—such as the specific reasoning the executive branch gave to justify ending the program—the human stakes of this case are huge. Nearly 700,000 undocumented immigrants—none of whom were ever convicted of a crime—have voluntarily provided their information to the federal government and enrolled in the program.
If the Supreme Court allows the Trump Administration to proceed, the human suffering will be extreme. Many DACA recipients have put down deep roots in American communities, including starting families and taking out mortgages.
It is also important to remember that the Supreme Court’s decision is not necessarily the end of the road. There are political solutions to this problem. Congress can pass the Dream and Promise Act—a bill that offers permanent legal protections to more than 2.5 million immigrants.
Get Help From a Los Angeles, CA DACA Lawyer Today
At the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, our California DACA attorney is an attentive, effective advocate for immigrants and their loved ones. If you have questions about DACA or DACA renewals, we are here to help. Call us now for a confidential consultation. From our law office in Los Angeles, we serve communities throughout the metro area, including in Santa Ana, Irvine, Glendale, Garden Grove, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Inglewood.
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