Judge outlaws Trump immigration decision

US faulted for DACA order based on flawed legal positions

New York, Feb. 14: US President Donald Trump’s administration didn’t offer “legally adequate reasons” for ending a programme that spared many young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the US as children, a judge ruled on Tuesday as he ordered the programme to continue.

US District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in Brooklyn said in a written order that the Republican president “indisputably” has the power to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, but relied on flawed legal positions in doing so.

“The Trump administration should be able to alter the policies and priorities set by its predecessor,” Garaufis said.

He said his order does not require the government to grant any particular DACA applications or renewal requests. The ruling came in lawsuits brought by immigration rights groups and 15 states.

Justice Department spokesman Devin O’Malley said the order doesn’t change the government’s position that DACA was an “unlawful circumvention of Congress.”

He added that the Department of Homeland Security “acted within its lawful authority in deciding to wind down DACA”.

“Today’s ruling gives hope to me and dreamers around the country,” said Eliana Fernandez, a plaintiff in the case. “We are thrilled with this preliminary injunction.”

Karen Tumlin, legal director of National Immigration Law Centre, said the ruling showed Trump’s action on DACA “was unlawful.” — AP