The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, is once again under legal scrutiny as a federal appeals court deliberates its future. Oral arguments were heard today in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case brought by Texas and several other states seeking to end the program. This marks the second time in two years that the court has weighed the legality of DACA, which has been the subject of ongoing legal battles since its inception in 2012.
Joseph Mazzara, representing Texas in the case, argued that rescinding DACA would help reduce the state’s population and lessen the financial burden on state resources. Texas and other states involved in the lawsuit contend that the program, which grants temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible immigrants, places an undue economic strain on states by increasing the demand for public services.
Mazzara specifically noted that the challenge is focused on the benefits associated with DACA, including work permits and access to health care and education. “If the program is terminated, the financial pressure on the state would decrease,” Mazzara stated. Texas has long argued that the federal government overstepped its authority by creating DACA without congressional approval, thus making it unconstitutional.
More than half a million people are currently protected under the program, often referred to as “Dreamers.” The DACA recipients are shielded from deportation and permitted to work legally in the U.S., many having lived in the country for most of their lives. Advocates for the program emphasize that rescinding DACA would disrupt the lives of these individuals, many of whom are integrated into American society, contributing to the economy and their communities.
This case could have sweeping implications for the future of DACA and the lives of Dreamers. While the Biden administration has defended the program, seeking to preserve it as a temporary solution until Congress can pass comprehensive immigration reform, the courts have remained a key battleground. A decision from the appeals court is expected in the coming months, but both sides anticipate that the case may ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
With DACA’s fate hanging in the balance, immigration advocates are closely watching the proceedings, expressing concern over the potential impact on immigrant families and the broader community. The uncertainty around the program’s future continues to weigh heavily on Dreamers, many of whom have spent years living under the protection of DACA.
