CA AG Fights to Keep DACA

As public debate about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has continued to rage on, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has joined Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and immigration advocates reaffirmed their support of the program. Former President Barack Obama instituted the controversial program in order to grant almost 800,000 undocumented immigrants who met certain requirements a reprieve from deportation. Advocates of the program hail it as an opportunity for growth for these individuals, as well as a chance for them to contribute to the local and national economy. The state of California is home to about a quarter of all DACA recipients, or about 200,000 “Dreamers.” On the other side of the debate are the attorneys general of Texas and nine other Republican-led states, who collectively have demanded that the Trump administration rescind DACA altogether and refrain from instituting similar programs in the future. Such a move would place about 800,000 DACA recipients in danger of immediate deportation. These states have threatened to file a lawsuit against the federal government if their demands go unmet. Nonetheless, the Trump administration issued an order on June 16, 2017, that keeps DACA in place – at least for now. However, the administration gave no indication as to how long DACA would last in the future. The administration’s actions in temporarily leaving the program in place are contrary to Trump’s campaign statements regarding DACA, in which he pledged to “immediately” eliminate DACA. Whether DACA continues in the future or not, the deportation defense lawyers of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C. will continue to handle deportation defense claims on behalf of individuals who have been detained and charged with removal. We know how devastating it can be for individuals to face potentially being forced to return to a country where they previously were persecuted, where they no longer have family or a home, or where they will experience significant violence and unrest. We care about you and your family, and we want to help you remain in the country. Call our office today to set up your legal consultation.