Jayapal Statement on Fifth Circuit Decision Leaving DACA Program Intact

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement after the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“The Fifth Circuit allowing the DACA program to stay in place for existing recipients means that hundreds of thousands Dreamers are protected for the moment. However, countless Dreamers in our country who are not enrolled in the program and are unable to apply for it are still facing fear of deportation. Today’s decision shows that DACA will continue to be threatened by xenophobic, anti-immigrant attacks from the right. Dreamers who continue to benefit from DACA deserve better than to have to worry about whether or not they will be able to stay in the only country they know as home each time the program is attacked in court. 

“Dreamers deserve security and permanent status. Congress must step up and act to ensure that all Dreamers are safe from deportation and provided a roadmap to citizenship. The House passed the Dream and Promise Act to protect Dreamers in a bipartisan manner – now the Senate must do the same. And we must go further to ensure a fair, compassionate immigration system.

“Dreamers are home. They deserve safety, stability, and the freedom to grow and thrive in their country.”

Issues: Immigration