The DACA program was created in 2012 by the Obama administration to protect young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It allows eligible immigrants to receive a renewable two-year period of protection from deportation and permits them to work in the United States.
However, the Trump administration moved to end the DACA program in 2017, leading to legal challenges that have been ongoing ever since. Supporters of DACA argue that it provides important protections for young immigrants who have grown up in the U.S. and know no other home. They also point out that many DACA recipients are contributing members of society, working, paying taxes, and attending school.
On the other hand, opponents of DACA argue that it is an overreach of executive power and should be decided by Congress. They also claim that DACA encourages illegal immigration and takes away jobs from American citizens.
The legal battle over DACA has been complex, with multiple court rulings both for and against the program. The latest decision by a federal judge in Texas has declared DACA unlawful, putting the future of the program once again in doubt. The Biden administration has vowed to appeal the ruling and is also calling on Congress to pass legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients.
Overall, the future of DACA remains uncertain as legal challenges continue to play out in the courts and in Congress. The fate of thousands of young immigrants hangs in the balance as the debate over DACA rages on.