Denver, CO – On Friday, enabling a vindictive and cruel attack against immigrant youth and their families, a federal judge in Texas ruled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to be unlawful. While the ruling did not end DACA status for those already within the program, it did partially end the program by barring new applications from being processed and approved. In reaction to the ruling, Lisa Duran, executive director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition issued the following statement:
“We are outraged at today’s decision that once again attacks the DACA program and puts hundreds of thousands of lives in jeopardy of exploitation and deportation. This decision places legal technicalities over justice and family values.
This decision only illuminates the urgent need for President Biden and Congress to pass legislation that will provide a path to citizenship for our 11 million neighbors, family and community members who have no way to become citizens. Our immigration system makes a mockery of family values and human rights in its tolerance for deep cruelty and the open exploitation of immigrants while being unwilling to open the door to new arrivals seeking family reunification, the ability to provide a dignified life for their families, and refuge from violence.
We call on the Biden administration and Congress to uphold the values of justice and inclusion that strengthen communities for everyone and act NOW to create a path to citizenship. We call on our Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennett to vote to pass the reconciliation package introduced this week in the Senate which would finally provide permanent protections to DACA recipients.”