In a surprise decision that was welcomed by nearly 650,000 young immigrants across the country, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 18 rejected the Trump administration’s effort to toss out the program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to America as children…today, known as “dreamers.”
The 5-4 decision, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., was a blow to Trump who, since September 2017, has sought to end the program, which had been launched by his predecessor, President Barack Obama via executive order.
This is the story of a young dreamer, Carlos Loredo, who was brought by family to the U.S. when he was nine. For some 20 years, he has made a life here and now manages a thriving restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Freedom
Asked what the ruling means to him, Loredo used just one word. Freedom. "This decision means freedom for us," he said.
"We were expecting the worst, but we were actually really surprised and happy that we could get relief at least for the time being," Loredo said, adding that Congress needs to act to make the program permanent so it will withstand such attacks in the future.
"I have made a life here. This is great relief for now. It's freedom for us."
Carlos came to the U.S. when he was nine. He began working bussing tables at Senor Frogs 15 years ago when it opened. Now, he's one of the operations managers."
"This is a great, great thing for the dreamers and the immigrant community. It will keep us safe, at least for the time being," he told Not Fake News.
Roberts’ ruling focused on technical issues, saying the administration had not provided legal justification to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrsivals (DACA) program. But it means that DACA recipients can continue to work, study and remain in the U.S. on a renewable permit – without fear of deportation.
Trump Attacks
Nevertheless, Trump lost no time in saying that his administration's effort to end DACA will continue. "We will be submitting enhanced papers shortly in order to properly fulfill the Supreme Court's ruling," he tweeted, so it can be expected that the Department of Homeland Security will continue trying to end the DACA program.
In his ruling, Roberts pointed out that since 2012, when the program was initiated, DACA recipients have enrolled in degree programs, embarked on careers, started businesses, purchased homes, married and had children – all because they relied on DACA.
He said ending the program would “radiate outward” to DACAs recipients’ families, including their 200,000 U.S.-citizen children, to the schools where they study and teach, and to the employers who have invested in their training.
And, he said that excluding DACAs recipients from the labor force could result in the loss of some $215 billion in economic activity and $60 billion in federal tax revenue over the next decade.
While Trump apparently has no intention of quitting, according to NBC News, DACA supporters are expected to ask a federal judge to impose a nationwide injunction that would block the government's move and keep the program going while the court battles continue. That's how DACA was kept alive after the Trump administration first tried to shut it down in 2017.
There also looms a lawsuit in federal court filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and six other state, seeking to end the program by charging that Obama’s executive order exceeded his constitutional authority.
But attacking DACA is a loser politically as a Pew Research survey this month found that 74 percent of Americans favored granting permanent legal status to immigrants who came illegally to the U.S. when they were children. Even a 57 percent majority of Republicans and Republican independents expressed support, as did 89 percent of Democrats.
Hoping...
Loredo is hopeful Joe Biden defeats Trump and Democrats hold the House of Representatives and perhaps take control of the Senate.
"If we get Joe Biden in the White House, great things are coming for sure," he said.
Something is just very wrong with Trump-emotions are missing. Hard to believe he is the same species!