Trump Administration’s Rescission of DACA “Arbitrary and Capricious:” DACA Remains in Place

WASHINGTON -  The U.S. Supreme Court today rebuked the Trump administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Among the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients keeping the country running during the coronavirus pandemic are an estimated 15,000 DACAmented educators who continue to sustain student learning.

NEA President Lily Eskelsen García issued the following statement:

 “The Supreme Court decision is a stinging rebuke of the Trump administration’s ill-conceived attempt to end DACA, deeming it arbitrary and capricious. Most importantly, however, the decision is a much-needed and timely victory for the hundreds of thousands of DACA holders who will continue to work on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, including nearly 15,000 educators who will continue to sustain student learning,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. “The victory means that these DACA recipients are safe, for now, from the threat of deportation and will continue to contribute to our nation’s social fabric and economic engine in communities across the country, especially now when we need them the most and beyond.”

“The Supreme Court victory also validates our core identity as a country – one that thrives when we welcome and embrace diverse contributions and ideas. We will keep fighting for our DACAmented educators, their families and their students. We will continue to fight for justice. We ask Congress to work to achieve an acceptable solution and we urge the Trump administration to stop creating unnecessary angst and uncertainty among our immigrant families so that they can continue to focus on fighting this global pandemic, and, most importantly, continue to educate our students.”

Background

The National Education Association, which represents more than three million educators nationwide, argued in a legal brief it filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that the action the Trump administration took to end DACA was unlawful, arbitrary and capricious, and therefore should be set aside. NEA argued that the Trump administration failed to take into consideration the irreparable harm rescinding DACA would have on hundreds of thousands of DACA holders, their families, their students, and communities. More than a dozen DACAmented educators affected by the Trump decision signed the NEA brief.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS, IN ADDITION TO NEA PRESIDENT LILY ESKELSEN GARCÍA: DACAmented educators who can speak to what Supreme Court decision means for them, their families and students.

• Angelica Reyes, teacher and DACA holder from Los Angeles, California
• Karina Alvarez, teacher and DACA holder from San Antonio, Texas
• Karen Reyes, teacher and DACA holder from Austin, Texas

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org