DACA Goes To Supreme Court

DACA BEFORE SCOTUS: The Supreme Court tomorrow morning will hear oral arguments over the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program . The high court will debate whether it can review President Trump's decision to phase out work authorization and deportation protections for 669,000 Dreamers who were illegally brought to the U.S. or overstayed a visa as children. 

DACA, which was established in 2012 as an executive-branch program by former President Barack Obama, provides deportation relief and work permits to Dreamers brought to the United States as children. Trump, arguing that DACA would not withstand legal challenges, moved to phase out the initiative in September 2017. But federal courts blocked the decision. 

"All eyes will be on Chief Justice John Roberts when the court hears arguments Tuesday," Mark Sherman reports for the Associated Press. "Roberts is the conservative justice closest to the court's center who also is keenly aware of public perceptions of an ideologically divided court."

He points out that Roberts sided with the high court's four conservatives on upholding Trump's travel ban and it's four liberals in rejecting the administration's move to add a citizenship question on the census. "His vote could be decisive a third time, as well," Sherman writes. Read more on Washington Post. 

Teacher, Dreamer, DACA

I remember life before DACA. I remember the fear, when, in my senior year of high school, my government class was required to apply to community college. I so worried people would find out that I was undocumented. I remember the frustration, when, despite having the chance to go to college anywhere in my home state of Texas and graduating from UT-San Antonio, I couldn’t yet pursue my dream of teaching. Instead, I volunteered at reading initiatives, and through communities in school programs --anything to be in and around a classroom. And, I remember the unbridled joy when President Obama signed DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). I was able to finish grad school, and today, I am proud to be going into my fourth year of teaching three and four-year-olds who are deaf or hard of hearing. Educator, the fear, anxiety, and stress I felt all those years is something no one should have to go through. It will take all of us to ensure that the opportunities and futures of the Dreamers who live, study and work in the United States can continue. That is why I am asking you to show your support today.   Thank you. Together, we can stand up for all Dreamers, and make sure each and every one is able to live his or her best future. Karen Reyes Special education teacher, Austin, TX NEA Member