"We are extremely gratified that the U.S. Supreme Court has acted decisively to keep in place the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, and in doing so protected DACA recipients, those outstanding young individuals who contribute so much to our country. As the justices noted, the Trump administration’s decision to rescind DACA was arbitrary and capricious, and failed to provide the justification needed to terminate the program.
But now, in the wake of this momentous and welcome ruling, Congress must finally act to give permanent legislative protection to Dreamers. For far too long, lawmakers used the pending Supreme Court decision as an excuse for inaction. DACA recipients and other Dreamers, brought to our country as children and American in every way but their immigration status, have been languishing in unacceptable legal and political limbo. Individuals protected by DACA and other Dreamers have established over and over again their contributions to the country and their willingness to serve in times of crisis. The current moment is no exception, as thousands of DACA recipients are working as health care providers and supplying other essential services on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an era of partisan acrimony and polarization, there is widespread and bipartisan support for protecting Dreamers both on Capitol Hill and on Main Street. But for far too long, Dreamers have been held political hostage, unable to make long-term decisions about their education, jobs, or serving in the military. Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a needed and most welcome development, but it does not offer permanent legal protection. We urge Congress to finally do the right thing and pass legislation that will enable these exceptional individuals to keep contributing their best to America, the only country they have ever called home."