FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A local immigration attorney says the decision the Supreme Court made Monday regarding DACA was not unusual.
DACA, or deferred action for childhood arrivals, a program that shields nearly 800,000 young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation, would have ended March 5. However, because of a lower court hearing, the government was not able to end the program.
The Trump administration challenged that by requesting a hearing by the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court rejected, and wants the lower courts to hear the case first. Immigration attorney Indera DeMine explained the decision was not unusual. "Over the years, there's only been a handful of instances when the Supreme Court has intervened when a lower court is still hearing a case," she said. "Now if you're on DACA, you're allowed to file your renewal request."
However, DeMine says the decision is only temporary relief for DACA recipients. "Let's say the lawsuit is lost. Then DACA goes away. If the lawsuit is won, the government will challenge it again in the Supreme Court, so it's definitely not a long term solution."
One Dreamer who spoke with 4 In Your Corner said although the future is uncertain, he sees the decision as a small win. "It's a victory of some sort, but it's nothing definite," he said.
He was brought to the United States from Peru at the age of 5, and grew up there since. He's hopeful the decision will give congress time to find a permanent solution for DACA. Lawmakers have been back and forth about the program for months. "They don't know how impactful it is and don't know how much they're playing with people's lives, really..how much is at stake," he said.
He plans to join the army. His dream job has to do with science. He believes if lawmakers give dreamers the chance, they can contribute greatly to the country. "I want to do CBRN, a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear specialist. I know, it's a mouthful. The army loves to do that," he laughed. "I'm working to be an American. The sky is the limit. Why settle for anything less that what your true potential could be? I feel like the army, that's what's going to really help me."
