In the early weeks of October, a federal judge ruled that the present government policy that shields hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the United States as children from deportation can remain in place, at least temporarily. This policy is otherwise recognized as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). Not only does DACA protect young immigrants without legal status, but it also provides them with work authorization and in some cases even travel permits.
United States District Judge Andrew Hanen, who previously deemed the DACA Program as illegal due to its original origins and regulations, now declared that the program can proceed under new principles at the end of the month. Following the restrictions Andrew Hanen had firmly implemented last year, no new DACA applicants are permitted, but those who are currently enrolled may remain as applicants while also renewing their petitions. Ever since the DACA program was established, many disagreed on the legality of it, but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been able to protect its legality up until this day. It has been vowed that if a court dismisses the program, the government will appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Although DACA recipients appreciate the maintenance of the program, some are evidently upset that the U.S. judge had declined opening up the program to thousands of new applicants who require its protection.
