Biden government aims to maintain program for “dreamers” after court ruling

The Joe Biden administration on Monday presented a proposal to reformulate an Obama-era program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to USA when they were children, known as “dreamers”, After a judge declared it illegal.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the initiative, which will be subject to consultations in the next 60 days before its eventual adoption, seeks “Preserve and strengthen” Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (IF in English), which currently protects some 600,000 people from deportation, most of them from Mexico.

Two months ago, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the former president Barack Obama exceeded his authority when he established the IF in 2012, indicating that only Congress has power over immigration issues. He also pointed to program implementation problems.

The July 16 ruling maintained benefits for current program holders, but blocked the enrollment of new applicants.

The government of Biden, which appealed the court decision, said that the proposed regulation “It is an important step” protect the “dreamers”And recognize the contributions to the country, but insisted on the need for a definitive legislative solution.

“Only Congress can provide permanent protection,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging lawmakers “To act quickly” for the ones “dreamersHave the legal status they deserve.

The IF was the executive solution he found Obama when the project of “Law of promotion for the advancement, relief and education for foreign minors”(DREAM Act), was not passed in 2010 in the Republican-dominated Congress. The acronym in English for this law gave rise to the term DREAMers, “Dreamers”.

In 2017, then-Republican President Donald Trump sought to end the IF claiming it was unconstitutional, prompting a lengthy court battle that ended in the Supreme Court. The IF it survived the gradual dismantling attempts and was reinstated last December.

The regulations announced Monday by the government of Biden, former vice president of Obama, introduces changes in the application process of the IF, including new costs. But it maintains the conditions of the original program, which protects against deportation and provides work permit for two years, subject to renewal.

To qualify for IF, undocumented immigrants brought in as children must have been living in USA since 2007 and having arrived before being 16 years old. They must be studying, have graduated or be veterans of the military forces and must not have been prosecuted for a crime, among other requirements.

As of June 30, some 600,000 people were under the IF, most of Mexico (81%), followed very far by El Salvador (4%), Guatemala (3%) and Honduras (2%).

But it is estimated that “Dreamers” eligible for IF, which make up the total population of almost 11 million undocumented immigrants estimated in the country, would reach about 2 million.

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