Quijano Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision Allowing DACA to Remain in Place

Ruling Keeps Almost 650,000 Undocumented People Safe from Deportation

          (TRENTON) ­­– The United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Thursday that President Trump unjustly terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The majority opinion said the decision to end DACA was a “capricious” and “arbitrary” violation of law. Assembly Majority Conference Leader Annette Quijano (D-Union) issued the following statement:

“Today, over 16,000 New Jersey DACA recipients can breathe a sigh of relief and know that they will remain in the life-changing program that removes the threat of deportation and allows them to continue working legally.

“These ‘Dreamers’ pay taxes, buy homes and many have children who are U.S. citizens. They are our friends, neighbors and colleagues. An estimated 29,000 DACA recipients across the country are currently working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as health care workers.

“The President’s attempt to terminate the DACA program was misguided, callous, and cruel.

“The time for us to create a true pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants, including Dreamers is long overdue. The United States is a nation founded by immigrants. We must recognize and honor that history.

“I applaud the five justices who did the right thing today and stood up for the rights of our Dreamers.”