Statement by Jeh Johnson (DHS)

Dres2011 · 02-17-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

I strongly disagree with Judge Hanen’s decision to temporarily enjoin implementation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Department of Justice will appeal that temporary injunction; in the meantime, we recognize we must comply with it.

Accordingly, the Department of Homeland Security will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA tomorrow, February 18, as originally planned. Until further notice, we will also suspend the plan to accept requests for DAPA.

The Department of Justice, legal scholars, immigration experts and even other courts have said that our actions are well within our legal authority. Our actions will also benefit the economy and promote law enforcement. We fully expect to ultimately prevail in the courts, and we will be prepared to implement DAPA and expanded DACA once we do.

It is important to emphasize what the District Court’s order does not affect.

The Court’s order does not affect the existing DACA. Individuals may continue to come forward and request initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA pursuant to the guidelines established in 2012.

Nor does the Court’s order affect this Department’s ability to set and implement enforcement priorities. The priorities established in my November 20, 2014 memorandum entitled “Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants” remain in full force and effect. Pursuant to those enforcement priorities, we continue to prioritize public safety, national security, and border security. I am pleased that an increasing percentage of removals each year are of those convicted of crimes. I am also pleased that, due in large part to our investments in and prioritization of border security, apprehensions at the southern border – a large indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally -- are now at the lowest levels in years.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

He expects everything to be alright, lets hope he's right.

IamAman · 02-17-2015, 06:26 PM

Just got the email too. At least he's on our side.

Shootingstars2014 · 02-17-2015, 06:50 PM

Obama shouldn't have added age cap back in 2012. Damn it.

IamAman · 02-17-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shootingstars2014

Obama shouldn't have added age cap back in 2012. Damn it.

For the life of me I won't understand why his advisers did that. What possible good would have come from that?

dtrt09 · 02-17-2015, 09:25 PM

The age cap makes absolutely no sense - except to prevent certain people (us) from applying. But, why?

Out of 5 million, only about 180,000 more will qualify for DACA. In that context, such a small amount of us doesn't really make much difference.

I hope whoever advised the President to not include aged-out individuals is no longer in this administration, but my hunch is that it is someone who was or is close to him. Bad, bad advice, legal, political, and moral. It's been wrecking lives that could have changed three years ago for the better. Now I'm going to log off because I think I'm going to cry.

Shootingstars2014 · 02-17-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman

For the life of me I won't understand why his advisers did that. What possible good would have come from that?

Absolutely nothing! We are as American as those under 30.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrt09

The age cap makes absolutely no sense - except to prevent certain people (us) from applying. But, why?

Out of 5 million, only about 180,000 more will qualify for DACA. In that context, such a small amount of us doesn't really make much difference.

I hope whoever advised the President to not include aged-out individuals is no longer in this administration, but my hunch is that it is someone who was or is close to him. Bad, bad advice, legal, political, and moral. It's been wrecking lives that could have changed three years ago for the better. Now I'm going to log off because I think I'm going to cry.

I know exactly what you mean. But don't cry. We are the mature ones. There are people on our sides who are going to fight this. If this goes to 5th Circuit and is overturned as assumed, they will start accepting applications. The window of opportunity may be very small. So, before you cry, get your ass moving and get ready!

Dreamer0523 · 02-18-2015, 12:24 AM

I myself have experienced a lot of discrimination because of DACA. I don't know about you guys but I know for a fact American people really really dislike immigrant people. They don't realize we see this country as our own.

IamAman · 02-18-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shootingstars2014

Absolutely nothing! We are as American as those under 30.

I know exactly what you mean. But don't cry. We are the mature ones. There are people on our sides who are going to fight this. If this goes to 5th Circuit and is overturned as assumed, they will start accepting applications. The window of opportunity may be very small. So, before you cry, get your ass moving and get ready!

She already has DACA so it's a solidarity cry. But yeah no tears here and we can't give then the satisfaction. To be honest I'm not so much sad right now than angry. Still, I had a nice dinner, went to bed at 8 PM, woke up at 5 and sent to gym before coming to work like a good little slave should.

Diplok · 02-19-2015, 08:06 PM

My only question is are they going to keep renewing existing daca permits for 3 years or 2?

dtrt09 · 02-19-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman

She already has DACA so it's a solidarity cry. But yeah no tears here and we can't give then the satisfaction. To be honest I'm not so much sad right now than angry. Still, I had a nice dinner, went to bed at 8 PM, woke up at 5 and sent to gym before coming to work like a good little slave should.

I don't have DACA; I aged out of it as you. I was able to get work authorization because of a very, very long and personal story. Mainly because I don't know what possessed me and I decided to contact DHS. My work authorization came after years of anguish, great financial cost to me, incredible violation of my medical privacy and putting myself on the line for it.

I've felt plenty of sadness and anxiety for a couple of years, but my tears have been out of anger.

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

August

Statement by Jeh Johnson (DHS)