IDAHO — The Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program known as DACA.
It protects hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation and allows them to work legally in the US.
The Trump Administration's decision to end DACA was shut down in a 5-4 vote. The court focused on the administration's understanding of what rescinding DACA meant to the recipients, which was ruled inadequate.
"It's not a law passed by Congress, but whether they went through the correct process. The Administrative Procedures Act requires that they go through the process that gives enough thought into consequences of rescinding something put in place," attorney, Luke Malek says.
There are about 3,000 DACA recipients across Idaho who are protected under this program.
"We know we have DACA recipients in the Treasure Valley, and in Idaho and what this does, in the short term; it provides a lot more certainty," Malek says.
Immigrant Justice Idaho is a nonprofit group that advocates for "Dreamers" in Idaho. Their goal is to inform the public about immigration laws.
"Immigrant Justice Idaho is here to stand in solidarity and support immigrants in our effort to push for just and humane immigration reform," Attorney and Executive Director of Immigrant Justice Idaho, Maria Andrade says.
Maria Santana is a recipient living in the gem state who is protected by DACA. She says she is relieved about the Supreme Courts' decision but believes the fight is still not over.
"I feel like we still need to continue this fight, and we still need to push for immigration reform where not only DACA recipients get benefited but also their parents and their families who have been here for so long," Santana says.
Chief Justice Roberts did note the administration could still move to end DACA legally, but it is unlikely for them to try again with the upcoming election.
