Supervisors opposed to rescinding of DACA
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The Obama-era program, also known as DACA, protects nearly 700,000 Dreamers — young people brought into the United States as children — from deportation and allows them to work.
The US Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from terminating the program in June.
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s four liberal justices in the 5-4 ruling against
the administration. Roberts called the decision to cancel DACA arbitrary and unjustified but left the door open for the administration to try again.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf announced last month that in response to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Department of Homeland Security will take action to thoughtfully consider the future of the DACA policy, including whether to fully rescind the program.
According to the July 28 memorandum, the Department of Homeland Security made the following changes to DACA immediately:
•Reject all initial requests for DACA and associated applications for Employment Authorization Documents;
•Reject new and pending requests for advanced parole absent exceptional circumstances; and,
•Limit the period of renewed deferred action granted pursuant to the DACA policy after the issuance of this memorandum to one year.
“As the Department continues looking at the policy and considers future action, the fact remains that Congress should act on this matter,” Wolf said. “There are important policy reasons that may warrant the full rescission of the DACA policy.”
The Board of Supervisors, in response, unanimously approved Ridley-Thomas’ motion to join in litigation, or to file an amicus brief supporting California’s lawsuit, challenging the federal government’s actions to rescind DACA. As a way to help protect the thousands of undocumented families that are without legal protection, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, seeks to urge other attorney generals to send letters encouraging the President to maintain the DACA initiative. This motion will direct LA County to support these efforts.
“Now, more than ever, we must be resolved to keep fighting on behalf of our immigrant communities, especially in the face of an administration that has continually attacked a community that is so vital to every facet of our country,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said in a statement. “Those who have relied on DACA for their livelihood and peace of mind need our help. The contributions DACA recipients are making to our nation and county are immeasurable. The economic and human stakes are too high — they deserve and will have our continued support.”
County officials said these young people make important contributions.
“As our friends, colleagues, and members of our families, Dreamers play a defining role in the LA County’s rich civic, cultural, and economic life,” said Rigoberto Reyes, executive director of the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs. “Our office exists to help them and their families get access to available wraparound County services so they can continue investing their talent and effort to making our LA County the great home it is for us all.”
“The County is committed to advancing the well-being of the thousands of Dreamers who call LA County their only home,” said Joseph M. Nicchitta, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. “We partner in this effort with the County’s Board of Supervisors and my colleagues countywide to provide Dreamers with equitable access to support services to better their lives, whether they are business owners, workers, tenants or consumers.”