FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 20, 2025
Media Contact:
press@homeishere.us
Washington, D.C. — As Trump takes office today, and following a recent ruling from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Texas v U.S. case, the Home is Here Campaign is clear-eyed in its mission to protect and defend DACA recipients and immigrant communities at large. During Trump’s first term in office, he and his cabinet unleashed catastrophic assaults to try to end DACA, a program that temporarily protects over half a million people from the threat of deportation, allows many to access stable employment, and build their lives, families, and futures here.
The Trump Administration’s track record against DACA is clear. As DACA continues to make its way through the courts following Friday’s 5th Circuit decision, today is a reminder to elected officials at every level to shore up protections for immigrants, defend DACA against every attack, and protect people like Judith, Angel, and Aurora.
A reminder of how we got here:
- June 2017: Republican AGs threaten to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration if the DACA policy is not rescinded.
- September 2017: The Trump administration announces the end of DACA, unleashing a series of lawsuits
- January 2018: United States District Court for the Northern District of California issues a preliminary injunction to prevent the Trump administration from ending DACA in the case of Regents of the University of California v. Department of Homeland Security, allowing DACA renewals to return.
- May 2018: Seven states, led by Texas, file a lawsuit, Texas v. United States, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas challenging DACA. The case is remanded to Judge Andrew Hanen.
- June 2020: SCOTUS reviews that DACA was ended unlawfully by the Trump administration.
- July 2021: Judge Hanen rules against DACA again in another case against DACA from Texas.
- October 2024: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral argument in Texas v. United States appeal.
- January 2025: the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals released a lengthy and mixed decision in the Texas v U.S. case, sharing that they believe DACA is unlawful, yet still chose to limit the effect of its ruling in several important ways, underscoring the ways DACA recipients have been critical to the stability and success of the country’s economy, communities, and more. Renewals are allowed to continue.
A more detailed timeline of the DACA court cases and the fight to protect it can be found here and here.
Sandra Avalos, DACA Recipient and Member of United We Dream said:
“As a Texan, DACA recipient, and mother, I’m ready to meet this moment with the courage it demands for my family, community, and state. Trump and his allies —including my own governor, Greg Abbott— have proven time and again that they only care about protecting their own hateful political agendas and the interest of billionaires, and are willing to put everyday families like mine in life threatening danger to do it.
As Trump takes office yet again, ready to unleash some of the most horrifying attacks against immigrants like me, we must remember, any attack on immigrants is an attack on us all. Our communities, our families, our cities, our workplaces, are all threatened by the chaos, destruction and violence Trump and his administration will manufacture in the places we call home. Our elected officials at every level have a responsibility to take every step possible to protect our communities now!”
Laurie Woodward Garcia, Leader of People Power United, said:
“People Power United stands with every member of our community—including our immigrant brothers and sisters and our DACA recipients. Nearly 80 percent of people who call America home did not vote for the hatred, bigotry, and fear mongering promoted by convicted felon and incoming President Trump and his MAGA supporters. We stand in solidarity with all who believe every person deserves dignity, respect, and the chance to thrive. We pledge to show up, speak out, and protect the rights of everyone in our community so we can all move forward together.”
Christine Bolaños, Communications Director of Workers Defense, said:
“Workers Defense remains relentlessly committed to fighting for the immigrant community’s dignity, respect, and rights. The immigrant community has been used as a political scapegoat for decades, but one thing remains clear: regardless of who is president, our gente are pillars of our communities and society at large. They lead by example with strong morals, values, an impeccable work ethic, and a fierce loyalty to family in their homes, their barrios, their churches, their schools, and in our cities. Hatred has never stopped the immigrant community from progressing. Workers Defense will stand up and fight alongside them every step of the way until every single person who calls the United States home is allowed to prosper free of discrimination and abuse paving the way for a better tomorrow for all who call this land home.”
Leo Murrieta, Executive Director of Make the Road Nevada, said:
“Today, as the Trump Administration takes office, our communities remain firm in our demands: We will not stop demanding that every elected official at the federal and local level acts boldly to protect immigrants and reject these mass deportation plans immediately. His administration is set to execute mass detention and deportations with no regard for the devastating consequences on families, communities, and our nation. Mixed-status families, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and even U.S. citizen children are targeted as his administration dismantles protections and escalates deportations. We are here, and not backing down, no matter who the president is. Today and every day, we fight to protect our communities, demand bold action, and ensure no one is forced into the shadows. The time to act is now.”
Barbara Lopez, Executive Director of Make the Road Connecticut, said:
“Make The Road Connecticut stands firmly against Trump’s cruel and destructive efforts to harm our immigrant communities and families through mass deportation and detention .We have faced these attacks before, we know the pain and the devastating impact they seek to inflict on immigrant families, but our communities are strong, resilient, and are not going to back down. We will continue to fight back and call on elected officials at every level to step up, take bold action, and provide immediate protections for immigrant communities. We know what is at stake. Now more than ever, we are ready—stronger, united, and more determined than ever. Together with our allies and community members, Make The Road Connecticut stands unwavering in our commitment to protect and empower our communities.”
Misael Lara, DACA recipient, college student, and member of Make the Road New York said:
“For years, I’ve worked hard towards my dream of working in healthcare, but as Trump takes office today, I’m terrified of not only watching my dream crumble but being separated from my family. We have been sounding the alarm on the possibility of the end of DACA, but we also know that Trump’s plans extend far beyond ending the program. He has made it clear that he will stop at nothing to target our families, our neighbors, and immigrants in every corner of the country. However, we will not watch as our communities are threatened– we will continue to fight every step of the way against his attacks. I call on our local leaders to use this moment to take proactive action to protect immigrants and people like me from the imminent dangers of a Trump administration.”
Antonio Arellano, Interim Chief of Staff of NextGen America, said:
“NextGen America stands in solidarity with the Home is Here campaign in the continued fight to protect and defend DACA recipients and immigrant communities. We cannot allow disinformation and hateful policies to force generations of undocumented people back into the shadows of fear and uncertainty. NextGen represents the largest and most diverse generation in American history, and we are fighting alongside our partners for a more inclusive America that cherishes the dreams and aspirations of all who call it home.”
Erika Castro, Organizing Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said:
“We’ve been here before and our communities won’t back down. Trump has had a target on the immigrant community since he launched his campaign back in 2015 and nothing has changed. As he takes office once again, our communities are also ready for the fight ahead. As PLAN and the Nevada Immigrant Coalition, we will continue to protect and defend those most vulnerable to the threats of mass deportation and any xenophobic attacks on our families. Now more than ever, we call on our allies to stand in solidarity with the undocumented community and demand that all policymakers, from school board to State Legislators, protect our families regardless of their immigration status.”
Angélica Reyes, Teacher of United Teachers Los Angeles member, said:
“As a DACA recipient, mother, teacher, and United Teachers Los Angeles member – I know first-hand the impact Trump’s first term had on my community. However, we are ready. Regardless of what Trump threatens us with, our home is here and we refuse to retreat into fear or despair. United Teachers Los Angeles stand with DACA recipients and immigrants. We are you. We will fight with you. ”
Noemi M. Pratt, US Partnerships and Mobilization Advisor of Ipas US, said:
“ As Trump takes office, Ipas US continues to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients, their families, and communities and we commend and proudly support the Home is Here campaign. Social justice issues do not exist and are not resolved in silos. Immigrant justice is reproductive justice. One of the pillars of reproductive justice includes the right of all people to raise their families in safe and sustainable communities. The ongoing lawsuits to end DACA and the confusion and uncertainty they cause, including the recent disappointing decision from the Fifth Circuit, are a direct threat to that right. Threats of immediate mass deportations by the Trump administration are a direct threat to that right. Ipas US will continue to fight back and call on elected officials at every level of government to uphold our human rights.”
Becky Pringle, National Education Association President, said:
“As educators, we are united in supporting every student—no matter the language they speak or their place of birth – and ensuring they have access to safe, welcoming public schools. Tragically, for our nation, the incoming Trump administration is committed to a mass deportation agenda that will inflict irreversible harm on our students, their families and communities.
“As educators, we have accepted the sacred responsibility to protect students—every single student, regardless of their immigration status—and to protect families and communities. We have a professional and moral responsibility to keep our students safe, especially if, and when, Trump sends ICE into our communities. We remain committed to using the power and strength of the largest labor union in the country to ensure every public school is a safe space for every student, and to uphold the constitutionally protected right of all students to access a public education.”
Wendy Cervantes, Director of Immigration and Immigrant Families, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) said:
“As a proud member of the Home is Here campaign, CLASP is committed to standing by DACA recipients following the disappointing Fifth Circuit Decision and as Trump takes office. Since the first attacks on DACA, we have documented the harmful impacts of the uncertainty and anxiety DACA recipients and their families have endured, including the more than quarter-million U.S. citizen children whose parents have DACA. As highlighted in the amicus brief we and other child development and health experts submitted to the Fifth Circuit, the program has helped hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients bolster our nation’s workforce and raise their children with stability and peace of mind. Every child deserves to live without fear, and every family deserves the opportunity to thrive. We will continue to push back on all efforts by policymakers—including the incoming Administration—to deny that right to our immigrant communities. We also call on Congress to finally pass a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and other immigrant youth.”
Dulce Guzmán, Executive Director of Alianza Americas said:
“As a DACA recipient, I have lived the uncertainty and fear that come with policies aimed at undermining our ability to thrive in the only country we call home. Today, we stand united, determined, and unshaken. As a network of 58 Latin American and Caribbean immigrant-led organizations, Alianza Americas unequivocally remains committed to protecting families across the United States. At a time of fear, our communities will continue to unite, organize, educate, and defend each other. The fight for permanent protection is not over. Directly-impacted families and their allies will continue to advocate until a just reform is achieved.”
Emiliana, a DACA recipient from California, said:
“I was six years old when I immigrated to the United States. Thanks to DACA, I was able to go to the University of California, Irvine for my bachelor’s in psychology and social behavior and be part of the UCI DREAM Center which fueled my passion to keep working for the community after graduating college. I am more than my undocumented identity. Everything I have accomplished wasn’t handed to me. I have worked hard to achieve my goals and career path. DACA allowed me to take space in professional settings that my little girl self sometimes finds hard to believe. Without it, my educational process would be stopped alongside my professional career. When a decision is made about DACA, the narratives of the community need to be heard and considered because we know how powerful and unique our journeys are more than anyone else. Our stories, our contributions, homes, careers, and most importantly, our humanity must be uplifted.”
Itzel Hernandez, DACA recipient and Immigrant Rights Organizer with American Friends Service Committee, said:
“We all have an essential role in this historic moment and every person of conscience is needed. Each one of us holds power, agency, and the duty to push back and resist. Failure to act is to be complicit in the scapegoating of DACA recipients, who represent just 0.15% of the total U.S. population. Remember the work we do is not only for others, but also so we truly know ourselves.
Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, said:
“Unitarian Universalists have long been advocates for Dreamers and other DACA recipients. Despite President Trump’s return to high office and the Fifth Circuit ruling, we will continue to do so. We agree with the analysis by allies: this outcome and ruling is part of a sustained attack to undermine immigrant communities, curtail their opportunities, and improve the prospect of mass deportations. We must get ready to lift our voices. Our faith tradition and sense of basic morality require it. The people brought here as youths who have made homes and lives here deserve our continuing support. Their already temporary and tenuous status has now been seriously challenged with the recent decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. That decision, and the uncertain treatment by the incoming administration, means immigrant communities and their activists must prepare to respond. That means allies and advocates, like UUSJ, must be ready to share our power. That means only Congress can right this moral wrong. That means we have work to do.”
Becky Belcore, Co-Director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), said:
“As we face another Trump administration, NAKASEC reaffirms our commitment to protecting and advancing the rights of Asian Americans and immigrants across the country. We cannot overstate the danger and violence of Trump’s plans to enact mass deportation and other anti-immigrant policies: Not only will they wreak havoc on local and national economies, communities, and structures; they will tear apart families, destroy dreams, and ultimately hurt everyone – citizens and non-citizens alike. The recent Fifth Circuit Court decision and continual attacks on DACA underscore the need for comprehensive, humane immigration policies and practices that respect every person’s rights and dignity. As a national network of five affiliates across six states, we implore local, state, and federal officials to strengthen their solidarity with immigrants and to exercise their power to protect American communities. To our communities: We are with you, and we will continue to fight for your rights and well-being. Every person deserves to live safely with their loved ones, regardless of race, gender, or citizenship status.”
###
The Home Is Here national coalition is fighting to protect DACA recipients, their families, and all immigrant communities at the U.S. Supreme Court. DACA recipients are undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. They are also our nurses, our teachers, our coworkers, our family members, and our friends — and their home is here. For more information visit HomeIsHere.Us