Press Release

ADL Joins Amicus Brief Supporting Lawsuit Challenging President Trump's Attempt to Rescind the DACA Program

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New York, NY, December, 23, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Friday joined an amicus (friend-of-the court) submitted to the U.S. District for the Eastern District of New York supporting a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 16 Attorneys General challenging President Trump’s attempt to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The decision to end DACA has left the lives of 800,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children in limbo.

The brief, filed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and a coalition of civil rights organizations, argues that the revocation of DACA protections will result in irreversible harm not only to the 800,000 recipients and their families -- but also to our country’s educational institutions, businesses, economy, military, and diverse communities.

“DACA recipients are our neighbors, our friends, and members of our communities. They went to college, and have contributed significantly to our economy and our education system. They are now teachers, lawyers, health professionals, and members of the military. They are the best and brightest of our nation and they are American in all but their paperwork,” said ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt. “The revocation of DACA fails not just immigrant communities, families torn apart, or DACA recipients themselves, but it fails all of us – families and children who deserve and depend on a future that embraces diversity as a strength. Particularly in light of Congress’s failure to pass the Dream Act and protect Dreamers before the holiday recess, the Court must step in to prevent irreparable harm to DACA recipients, their families, and our nation’s fabric.”

The brief discusses the necessity of DACA as a pathway to success and opportunity for immigrant communities and for the rich diversity of our nation that enables global economic and educational prosperity and culturally competent leaders and members of society.

ADL had previously denounced President Trump’s decision to repeal DACA and vowed to challenge it. ADL also continues to work actively for the passage of a clean Dream Act.