WASHINGTON – Dozens of DACA recipients and supporters gathered in front of the Supreme Court steps Thursday morning, following the ruling against the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Obama-era program.
The ruling was a win for over 700,000 immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, who are able to stay to work and learn under a renewable two-year period. California organizers say that with over 420,000 DACA recipients in the Golden State, they’re rejoicing in spirit along with the protesters in front of the Supreme Court in Washington.
The ruling was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative justice appointed by George W. Bush, voting in-step with the more liberal justices. Roberts wrote the opinion stating how the majority believes the administration failed to provide an adequate reason for ending the DACA program.
But the other four conservative justices voted against the majority, with Trump-appointed Justice, Brett Kavanaugh, writing a dissent. He praised immigrants but said something of this magnitude is Congress’ job and that Congress should have enacted legislation to “afford legal status to those immigrants.”
California lawmakers including Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Nanette Barragan visited the steps of the Supreme Court Thursday, saying how they believe more work needs to happen in Congress where DACA recipients will have a pathway to citizenship.
“We're happy to see what's come down,” Barragan said. “And it's great to also have the Chief Justice write the decision, which today is a good thing for our Dreamers.”
Barragan said it was a bit of a “surprise” that Chief Justice Roberts voted in favor of keeping DACA, but said it signals a path for impartial justice by the High Court, apart from the administration.
This ruling means, for now, DACA recipients, like Gerson Quinteros, are able to continue renewing their membership in the program and earn protections from deportation.
“I feel so happy that I'm supported,” Quinteros, a community organizer, said. “I'm in a community with many, many DACA recipients, many allies, many USA citizens who are here to actually support us and they're ready for everything and to continue fighting with us.”
Former President Barack Obama weighed in on the decision over Twitter saying: “Eight years ago this week, we protected young people who were raised as part of our American family from deportation. Today, I'm happy for them, their families, and all of us. We may look different and come from everywhere, but what makes us American are our shared ideals.”
President Obama went on to mention the November elections and for supporters to vote for Joe Biden.
President Trump unleashed his discontent and criticism of the SCOTUS decisions this week over Twitter, vowing to release a list of potential new justice nominees before the presidential election. He tweeted: “The recent Supreme Court decisions, not only on DACA, Sanctuary Cities, Census, and others, tell you only one thing, we need NEW JUSTICES of the Supreme Court.”
This opinion is the second time this week the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration and its stances.