Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals released its decision ruling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects 23,000 young immigrants in Arizona, is illegal. The ruling sent the future of DACA back to the lower courts, which continues to put the lives of DREAMers across the country in limbo. 

In response, Arizona Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for governor, Katie Hobbs, issued the following statement: 

“I am deeply upset to hear of the devastating decision declaring the DACA program illegal and putting the lives of thousands of young immigrants in Arizona at risk,” said Hobbs. “DACA recipients are valuable members of our communities here in Arizona, and they deserve to be treated with respect. It’s past time that Congress ended the decade of chaos and uncertainty DREAMers have been through. The federal government must codify DACA, provide DREAMers with the stability and certainty they deserve, and create a fair pathway to citizenship.”

The court’s decision blocks new DACA applicants. Without these protections, DREAMers will face deportation, and be denied the opportunity to work to support themselves and their families. Instead of creating a plan to secure DACA protections, Kari Lake continues to sow division to score political points. Lake has previously referred to Latino immigrants as “hard-core criminals, “terrorists,” and “rapists.”

Katie Hobbs has an actual plan for immigration reform that supports vulnerable communities like DREAMers. As governor, Hobbs will work with Arizona’s congressional delegation to fight for a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and meaningful relief for Arizonans suffering the consequences of decades of federal inaction. 

Original source can be found here.