SPLC Action Fund Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision on DACA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was arbitrary and capricious. The following statement can be attributed to Margaret Huang, SPLC Action Fund President and CEO:

“This decision is not only of great importance to the hundreds of thousands of directly affected young people who have built their lives in this country, but also a significant blow to the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda.

“For too long these young people have been held hostage by this President, who has seen them only as a bargaining chip in the effort to secure more funding for the ‘border wall’ effort and a group to be vilified to solidify his base.

“Instead of being deterred by these shameful political tactics, they organized and became advocates for themselves and their communities. Today’s victory is a true testament to these young people and their dedication.

“Instead of continuing to target them, the administration should automatically renew any DACA recipient’s status for at least two years. Congress must act now to create a path to citizenship for these young people. This is more important now than ever.”