AILA: No Surprise that Texas Judge Puts Politics Ahead of Sound Legal Precedent

WASHINGTON, DC – Leaders from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) shared the following statement regarding the ruling by Texas federal judge Andrew Hanen against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

AILA President Allen Orr stated, “Judge Hanen made it crystal clear over the past years that his predisposition against favorable exercises of prosecutorial discretion in the immigration context was strongly entrenched and his mind wasn’t about to be changed. AILA urges the federal government to continue the fight, knowing that DACA is well within the President’s constitutionally granted authority. For the individuals, families and communities disappointed by today’s decision, AILA encourages them to stand strong. Undoubtedly the administration will appeal and individuals who are potentially eligible for DACA can still begin gathering the necessary documentation and seek good counsel to give themselves the best chance for success.”

AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson added, “Although Judge Hanen stayed the devastating effects of his order by not stripping protections from current DACA recipients immediately, this is another blow to a program that everyone acknowledges provides critical protections. In fact, this entire lawsuit has wasted time and resources that could have been far better spent, and the blame for this goes beyond Judge Hanen and the states that sued. The blame lies squarely on the Senate which has not yet moved forward on the American Dream and Promise Act which would protect Dreamers and others with longstanding ties to our country who have played an integral role in our shared efforts to fight the pandemic and have been contributing to communities across the country for decades.”

The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.