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CONTACT:

Brandon Lee (English language)

blee_census@icirr.org / 773-259-5288

Artemio Arreola (Spanish language)

aarreola@icirr.org / 841-338-5821

IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WIN BACK DACA PROTECTIONS

Court ruling provides an opportunity for Biden admin to further protect communities

CHICAGO -- On Friday night, a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to reopen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for first-time applicants, extend the period of protections back to two years, and again allow more DACA recipients to travel outside the US and return safely.

“Eight years ago, immigrant youth organized and won implementation of the DACA program,” said Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “Even as the racist Trump administration attempted time and again to dismantle these protections, our communities continued organizing to preserve DACA. This ruling was made possible by grassroots organizers who have been working to protect and expand the program for years.”

“In light of the court’s decision, we are calling on the incoming Biden administration to do more to protect immigrant communities,” continued Benito. “This includes executive actions on day one, along with action from Congress within the first 100 days.”

On day one, the Biden Administration can take executive action to make DACA even more inclusive by

• Moving eligibility dates so that more immigrant youths can qualify

• Including parents in protections, and

• Removing restrictions that would otherwise keep immigrants from applying.

ICIRR also urges the incoming Biden Administration to take further immediate executive actions, including issuing a moratorium on deportations and ICE enforcement actions, ending the travel bans, and restoring refugee resettlement to its historical levels.

Additionally, within the first 100 days, ICIRR is calling on the Congress and the Administration to enact a pathway to full citizenship for all 11 million undocumented residents.

For a list of ICIRR partners currently processing DACA applications, visit icirr.org/daca.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a statewide coalition dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society. For more information, visit www.icirr.org.