Appeals Court Upholds DACA Ruling, Limits Texas Protections

A federal appeals court has ruled against President Biden's efforts to strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, siding with Texas and declaring the initiative unlawful just before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a prior ruling that found Biden's regulation inadequate and limited its impact to Texas, allowing current DACA enrollees to maintain their status temporarily. The court's decision poses significant uncertainty for over 537,000 'Dreamers,' immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Trump, who previously sought to end DACA, is expected to implement a stringent immigration policy upon his inauguration. Although the ruling affected only Texas, it underscores ongoing legal challenges facing DACA, which has been a contentious issue over the past decade. Advocates for DACA argue that its recipients contribute positively to society despite the political and legal turmoil surrounding the program.