SEIU’s Sáenz: DACA recipients remain at the mercy of ultra-conservative judges

DACA is threatened in court and Republicans have held back progress in Congress

WASHINGTON—SEIU International Executive Vice President Rocio Sáenz issued the following statement in response to the the Biden administration’s issuance of the final Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) rule:

“DACA is threatened in court and Republicans have held back progress in Congress. More than 600,000 persons who came to the U.S. as children and have lived here since at least 2007 face loss of work authorization and even possible deportation and separation from their families depending on the outcome of litigation before ultra-conservative judges. The rule is an important response to that litigation though DACA recipients are still vulnerable to judicial attacks. Regardless we continue to urge the administration and members of Congress to do all in their power to ensure not only that DACA holders are protected, but that the program is expanded and a path to citizenship is enacted for all undocumented individuals.

In the ten years since its inception, DACA has been an undeniable success, one that demonstrates the incalculable value to all of us of legalizing undocumented workers. DACA has allowed young immigrants to thrive and contribute to our communities as doctors, janitors, homecare providers, and essential workers in every part of America. They are the backbone of their families and support their U.S. citizen family members’ lives and education. The young people who fought so hard to make DACA a reality tell us ‘DACA was a game changer for me.’ DACA makes our country stronger, more inclusive and faithful to our traditions.

This rule is just one part of the fight to save DACA and to remake our immigration system into one that enables all immigrants and all workers to thrive. We will never lose sight of the need for a pathway to citizenship for all immigrants who have contributed so much.”