May 2, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Seven states sue to end DACA protection for "Dreamers"

Stef W. Kight

Two protestors holding signs of the statue of liberty hugging a woman with a hijab. The capitol building is in the background. — Immigration activists at a march. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Texas and six other states filed a lawsuit against the federal government Tuesday calling for an end to the DACA program, which provides legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

Why it matters: The lawsuit is technically against the Trump administration, but it has already tried to end the DACA program, only to be met with nationwide injunctions. Even if the judge rules in Texas' favor, those injunctions remain in place. Only the Supreme Court can change things now, according to immigration attorney Leon Fresco.

Who's suing: Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia.

Where it stands:

The two injunctions by California and New York judges have allowed DACA recipients to continue renewing their status.
At the end of last month, a third federal judge from D.C. ruled that if the Department of Homeland Security can't offer a better reason for terminating DACA, it will have to begin accepting new applications for the legal protections as well — effectively reinstating DACA.

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Seven states sue to end DACA protection for "Dreamers"

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