The following statement was released by the California Latino Legislative Caucus after the US Supreme Court made a decision to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) in a 5-4 vote.

In the 74-page decision, it ruled that President Donald Trump’s Executive order was in violation of Federal Law. At the time of the order, there were around 700,000 DACA recipients in 2017.

CA Latino Caucus Celebrates Supreme Court Decision to Uphold DACA

SACRAMENTO – On behalf of the entire California Latino Legislative Caucus, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) and Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Chair and Vice Chair of Caucus, made the following statements after today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“DACA’s creation back in 2012 allowed hundreds of thousands of young people in California to step out of the shadows and aspire to achieve great things. In these eight years, they have made incredible contributions to our cities, the state and our nation as a whole. Today’s news that the Supreme Court made the right decision to uphold this successful program is a welcome relief to so many of our neighbors, friends and family members. But we must continue to push Congress for a comprehensive immigration solution that will protect our Dreamers from a tyrannical White House,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said.

DACA is a federal policy that has permitted more than 825,000 immigrants (about 200,000 in California) who came to the country many years ago as children to live and work without fear of deportation. More than 200,000 DACA recipients are now working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am relieved that the Supreme Court has upheld the DACA decision to allow youth to continue living, studying and working in a country they’ve called home since childhood. They represent the best and the brightest and will continue to contribute in every way possible to make this the country of opportunity,” added Senator Durazo.

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is one of three Latino Caucus members who was undocumented and now serves the California Legislature, she immigrated to the United States with her mother from El Salvador when she was child due to a civil war at the time.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for thousands of Dreamers, their families and millions of Americans who believe in justice,” Assemblymember Carrillo said. “As June is Immigrant Heritage Month, the decision to protect Dreamers reaffirms the belief that no matter where you come from, what you look like, what language you speak or what your legal status is, the American Dream belongs to all of us, not just a few. Today, the Supreme Court’s decision entrusts upon a new generation of Americans to carry on that belief and guide us towards a more just society. In California, the Latino Caucus will continue to fight for Dreamers, families and future generations of Americans.”