Law Enforcement on DACA: ‘Congress Still Must Act’
June 18, 2020
Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Law enforcement leaders are urging Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients following today’s United States Supreme Court ruling that the Trump administration did not provide an adequate justification for ending DACA, allowing it to remain in place.
The ruling comes after the Trump administration attempted to rescind DACA in 2017, beginning a legal battle that has left nearly 700,000 DACA recipients uncertain of their futures.
However, while the court ruled that the Trump administration failed to provide a reasoned explanation for ending DACA, the court’s decision permits the administration to make a second attempt to end the protections for Dreamers using proper administrative procedures. Given this uncertainty, and the continuing uncertainty over the temporary nature of DACA’s protections, leading law enforcement officials are urging Congress to take action and find a permanent solution for DACA recipients.
“While the Court’s decision did not end the hopes of Dreamers, Congress still must act to find a permanent solution,” said Chief Carmen Best of Seattle, Washington. “As a police chief, I support a bipartisan legislative solution to allow Dreamers to remain in the United States and continue contributing to our communities and our nation.”
“It is essential for Congress to work across party lines to find a permanent solution to protect these young people, which itself is a meaningful step to carry out overdue bipartisan reforms of our immigration system,” said Sheriff Margaret Mims of Fresno County, California.
“Without action by Congress, the Dreamer population could still be driven back into the shadows and will be hesitant to report crimes or cooperate with investigations,” said Chief Art Acevedo of Houston, Texas. “Such an outcome would risk undermining community safety. When Dreamers, and all immigrants, feel safe engaging with local police, all of our communities are safer.”
Contact: Morgan Ryan, 847-828-9148
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