Federal Appeals Court Issues Game Changing Decision in ‘Dreamer’ Case

A federal appeals court has dealt a serious setback to the DACA program, raising questions about the program’s future and the fate of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants.

Key Facts:

• A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the 2022 version of DACA exceeded executive authority.
• The policy, created by President Obama in 2012, protects so-called Dreamers who arrived in the U.S. as children.
• Friday’s ruling does not end current DACA benefits but blocks new applicants.
• Texas Attorney General Ken Paton, representing Republican-led states, called the decision “a major victory.”
• The move could pave the way for the Supreme Court to take up DACA for the third time.

The Rest of The Story:

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, was introduced under President Obama to allow certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children to live and work without fear of deportation.

Since its introduction in 2012, it has faced numerous legal challenges, including two previous cases heard by the Supreme Court.

Most recently, President Biden updated the policy in 2022 with the intention of shoring up its legal standing by going through a formal rule-making process.

However, the appellate judges concluded that the executive branch overstepped by creating and modifying a program that effectively grants legal status.

Two of the judges were appointed by Republican presidents and one by a Democrat, and their unanimous ruling maintains that new DACA applicants remain blocked.

The ruling arrives just before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, a moment when immigration policy is expected to shift significantly.

Although Trump has expressed support for Dreamers in the past, he also pledged stronger enforcement against unlawful immigration.

The court’s decision now positions the issue squarely before the Supreme Court if the federal government chooses to appeal, making the future of DACA uncertain once again.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paton led the charge against DACA, arguing that the program was unlawful and created burdens for states.

After the ruling, he expressed his readiness to work with the incoming administration to ensure stricter enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Commentary:

We believe the judge made the right decision in this case.

The Biden administration has a record of stretching its authority, and it is reassuring to see the courts step in.

While the intentions behind DACA may be compassionate, real solutions should come from Congress.

This ruling serves as a reminder that our system depends on careful checks and balances.

Legislative action would provide a more permanent and transparent solution for Dreamers, rather than relying on ever-shifting executive orders.

The Bottom Line:

This new development leaves Dreamers in a familiar state of uncertainty, as existing protections remain but no new applications can be filed.

The continuing legal battle signals that only a legislative solution will provide long-term stability.