A federal judge in Texas has jeopardized security for tens of thousands of migrants by ruling new applications to DACA unlawful.
There are more than 50,000 new applications pending right now at the Department of Homeland Security. Only 800 of those have been approved since Biden began his administration.
It’s appalling that this ruling threatens applicants and suspends applications, and also terrifying for what it could mean for further rulings for current recipients in future precedents.
The Dream Act is the bare minimum Congress can do to protect migrants entering and within our borders, yet, they have been dragging their feet on even this legislation. It passed the House in March but has yet to reach the Senate floor.
The slow response from Congress and the Biden administration on immigration isn’t surprising. The Obama administration deported 1.18 million people in its first three years alone! More recently Vice President Kamala Harris told Latinos to stay in their countries, which have been devastated by the US drug war and NAFTA, and that they would be “turned back” when entering our border. Biden promised “nothing will fundamentally change.” We see what that means every day.
We’re tired of band-aid legislation. DACA recipients must be protected and our representative must immediately pass robust immigration reform.
It’s time to reverse the criminalization of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in America and create a swift pathway to citizenship. The People’s Party platform is clear. Pass the Dream Act and naturalize all undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Expand DACA and DAPA. Ensure that Medicare for all extends to undocumented immigrants and allow them to purchase health insurance through the ACA in the meantime. Dismantle inhumane deportation programs and both private and public detention centers.
Our representatives could do the right thing, they choose not to. That’s why we’re building a major new party that’s not bought by corporations. We’re building a party that WILL actually get the work done and protect EVERYONE inside and outside our borders.
Image credit: Pax Ahimsa Gethen