On Wednesday the Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule that will preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy for certain eligible noncitizens who arrived in the U.S. as children, deferring their removal and allowing them an opportunity to access a renewable, two-year work permit.

In response, American Gateways co-Executive Director Edna Yang issued the following statement:

“DACA has provided temporary protection for hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families who have built their lives here. They are integral to our society and while DACA has given some protection to DREAMers, it is not long term.

“We need a permanent and sustainable solution for DREAMers, their families, and our community. Congressional action must be taken to secure DREAMers and their families a path to lawful permanent residency and citizenship in the United States.

“Now is the time to take action and do what is right. Congress must secure DREAMers and their families a path to lawful permanent residency and citizenship in the United States.”

Background:

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 members of our communities, who have made the United States 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.