Chicago, IL – A District Court in Texas ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) despite widespread efforts from migrant communities in affirming the validity of the program. While DACA renewals and Advanced Parole applications are still being accepted, the nearly 600,000 dreamers who benefit from the program continue to live in a state of uncertainty. Below is a statement from Alianza Americas, a network of 57 organizations led by migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean:

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“DACA was never enough and it has excluded many people like me. It was a form or relief, but not the long-term solution that is needed. What my community needs is permanent protections for the 11 million of us living undocumented yet contributing greatly to this country we call home,” said Giselle Rodriguez, Founder and Executive Director of Illinois Workers in Action.

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Contrary to popular belief, DACA recipients are a benefit for society, the economy, and the arts and culture. Over the next 10 years, DACA recipients will contribute an estimated $433 billion to the GDP, $60 billion in fiscal impact, and $12.3 billion in taxes to Social Security and Medicare if they continue to have work authorization in the U.S.

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“DACA recipients like me deserve the ability to imagine and dream of a future for ourselves and our families in the country that we call home, where we grew up, where we studied, and where we are now creating our own families. The future of DACA remains uncertain. We cannot go on living from one court decision to the next. We need permanente solutions from Congress,” said Carolina Ortiz, Associate Director of COPAL MN.  

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The case on the legality of DACA will now head to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals where it will be heard in front of a three-judge panel and most likely be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. In the meantime, those with DACA are protected and can continue to renew while those who would benefit from DACA can continue to submit applications but DHS will not process them. Learn more here.

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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.