WASHINGTON, D.C. — A broad coalition of faith, business, agriculture, education, national security and advocacy organizations are urging Congress to prioritize permanent solutions for Dreamers as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) faces renewed legal challenges.
U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen of Texas today struck down the Biden administration’s formal DACA rulemaking, threatening the work authorization and protection from deportation it provides for hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
While Hanen’s decision likely will be appealed, the decision brings DACA one step closer to being ended once and for all. The appeals court previously found the original DACA program unlawful in a 2022 ruling.
The Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC), a diverse group of industry and community leaders, is now calling on Congress to finally end the legal limbo and pass permanent legislative protections for DACA recipients and other Dreamers who contribute and belong to communities across the country.
Multiple polls have shown not only broad support for Dreamers across the political spectrum, but also for Republicans and Democrats to work together on immigration reforms that support Dreamers, address the border and modernize farm workforce policies.
“In a time of intense polarization, Americans’ overwhelming support for DACA recipients and other Dreamers is a rare chance to advance meaningful bipartisan legislative solutions,” the ANIC’s nearly 40 coalition members said in a joint statement. “For as long as DACA has existed, we’ve seen Congress attempt — without success — to give Dreamers a sense of security and solidify their integral contributions to our country.
“With the fate of DACA recipients and the millions of Americans who rely on them more in jeopardy than ever, Congress has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to act. We need permanent legislation now.”
About the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus
The Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC) is a public coalition of faith, business, agriculture, education, national security and advocacy organizations working to build support for bipartisan legislative solutions that strengthen border security as well as provide permanent legal protections and other reforms for Dreamers, TPS recipients and agricultural workers. To learn more about ANIC’s efforts, visit www.anic.co.