Bombshell court ruling puts Democrats in a bind they can’t escape from
The Left is used to the power of government doing their bidding. But now the script has been flipped.
Because a bombshell court ruling put Democrats in a bind they can’t escape from.
Federal Appeals Court Declares DACA Illegal but Keeps Program Temporarily Intact
On Friday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a significant blow to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, ruling it unlawful while permitting its continuation for now.
The decision leaves the program’s fate in the hands of the Supreme Court, offering a temporary lifeline to the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant “Dreamers” it protects.
Court Rules DACA Violates Immigration Law
The three-judge panel concluded that DACA, an Obama-era policy shielding undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, violates the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The INA provides the legal framework for determining which migrants qualify for lawful status, and the court determined that DACA overstepped its bounds.
Writing for the court, Judge Jerry E. Smith emphasized that DACA lacks legal grounding. The ruling pointed out that immigration law is clear on who is eligible for lawful status, and the executive branch does not have the authority to bypass Congress on this matter.
Biden Administration’s Defense Falls Short
The Biden administration had attempted to bolster DACA’s legality by updating its rules and providing a new justification.
However, the court rejected this approach. Judge Smith criticized the revisions, stating that the administration’s efforts to “legally launder” the program were unsuccessful.
Despite this setback, the court acknowledged the far-reaching implications of its ruling.
To avoid abrupt disruption, the judges limited the decision’s legal effect to Texas, the only state in the case that demonstrated harm caused by DACA’s implementation.
DACA’s Future Hinges on Supreme Court Review
In a key move, the court stayed its ruling entirely, allowing the government time to appeal.
This means that DACA remains operational for now, giving current recipients some relief while the case moves through the legal system.
The decision underscores the ongoing tug-of-war over DACA, which has faced numerous legal challenges since its inception.
Republican-led states have argued that the program is unconstitutional, while the Biden administration and immigrant advocacy groups continue to defend its necessity.
As the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in, the stakes are higher than ever for the “Dreamers.” While they are temporarily shielded, the ultimate outcome could reshape the lives of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants in the United States.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
