Supreme Court Salvages DACA Protections

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday salvaged an Obama-era program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of young, unauthorized immigrants known as “Dreamers” to remain in the country without immediate fear of deportation.

In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the court’s liberal wing in finding that the Trump administration broke the law in 2017 when it rescinded the program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

Roberts wrote the majority opinion and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor.

The court held that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end the program was “arbitrary and capricious” and therefore in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.

“We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,” Roberts wrote. “‘The wisdom’ of those decisions ‘is none of our concern.’

But the department, he said, “failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients. That dual failure raises doubts about whether the agency appreciated the scope of its discretion or exercised that discretion in a reasonable manner.”

The ruling drew cheers from liberal lawmakers and advocates across the country, including Wisconsin.

“DACA is here to stay! This ruling is a testament to the young people who fought for and demanded visibility and protection,” tweeted Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. “Now we have to continue their fight until all immigrants families can live without fear being separated or persecuted.”

“The immigrant community is at the heart of the founding of our state. Our immigrant families and kids are part of the fabric of our state, enriching our culture, communities, workforce, and so much more,” responded Gov. Tony Evers via Twitter. “While this news provides a moment of relief, there is still much work to do to ensure our state and country is an inclusive and welcoming place for all. No family should have to live in fear of being split up.”

“Putting in place the DACA program was right, and @realDonaldTrump‘s attempt to end this protection for #DREAMERS was wrong. Today’s #SCOTUS decision does right by Dreamers working, going to school, serving in our military and making our country stronger,” tweeted U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

“By rejecting the Trump administration’s illegal attempt to end DACA, the Supreme Court provided a critical measure of relief to DACA recipients and their families at a time when they — like all Americans — are experiencing significant fear and uncertainty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, said in a statement.

Justice Clarence Thomas called the ruling “mystifying” in a dissenting opinion. “Today’s decision must be recognized for what it is: an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision,” he wrote.

The ruling will likely inflame partisan tensions ahead of the 2020 presidential contest. It comes days after the court issued an unexpected ruling protecting LGBTQ workers from job discrimination.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the pair of rulings “a bright ray of sunshine” during difficult times. “This is a wonderful, wonderful day,” he said in a statement.

The DACA program was created in 2012 to allow certain immigrants who arrived in the United States before age 16 to apply for temporary protection from deportation and work permits.

About 700,000 people have participated in the program, according to the court. A 2017 survey of DACA recipients found that nearly all respondents were either employed or in school, according to the Center for American Progress.

President Donald Trump vowed on the campaign trail to “end” the program. His administration made good on his promise in 2017, but lower courts blocked the decision from taking effect.

The administration could try to end the program again, the court noted. If it does, it will have to do so in a way that complies with federal law governing such decisions.

Last June, the U.S. House passed legislation that would safeguard the program and provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The bill has not been taken up in the U.S. Senate. Baldwin continued her response urging her Senate colleagues to take it up and pass it.

“We now need to pass the #DreamAct and protect #Dreamers who have only known America as their home. They must have the opportunity to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. The Senate should step up and lead by passing the bipartisan.”

Melanie Conklin contributed to this report Wisconsin.

Reprinted with permission of Wisconsin Examiner.