Statement on Texas, et.al v. United States, et. al from Edna Yang, co-executive director, American Gateways, which provides legal aid to low-income immigrants from offices in San Antonio, Waco and Austin:

“We are incredibly disappointed by last week’s decision, which jeopardizes the future of hundreds of thousands of young people, including over 101,000 DREAMers with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in Texas alone. While Judge Hanen’s decision allows current DACA recipients to continue to renew their status, it places in limbo the thousands of new DACA applicants who had applied for protection and work permits, as US Citizenship and Immigration Services can no longer adjudicate these applications.

“Last week’s ruling reinforces the need for a permanent solution from Congress, as no executive order was ever going to grant long-lasting security for these young Americans. In Texas alone 101,970 DREAMers have applied for DACA, and estimates show that there are at least an additional 231,000 DREAMers who are immediately eligible to apply. These are individuals who are members of our communities, who have made the US their home, and who deserve a pathway to permanent residency for themselves and their families. Over 200,000 DACA recipients are on the front lines working to help protect the health and safety of Americans. They include medical and health care professionals, agricultural workers, and transportation workers, among others. They provide critical infrastructure on the frontlines, and without them our country would not be able to function.

“Now is the time to take action and do what is right. Congressional action must be taken to secure DREAMers and their families a path to lawful permanent residency and citizenship in the US.”

MORE: Contact Edna Yang, American Gateways, 512-478-0546 ext. 202 or ednay@americangateways.org