Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement regarding the Texas Federal Judge’s ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program: 

“This disappointing attack on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program makes it clear we must remain committed to supporting undocumented children and providing a viable, humane pathway to citizenship in this country. As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Immigration Taskforce, one of the six women known as the ‘Closers’ selected by Speaker Pelosi to champion immigration reform and pathway to citizenship legislation in the House of Representatives, a Senior Member of the House Homeland Security Committee and most importantly, the daughter of Jamaican Immigrants this ruling is deeply troubling,” said Clarke. “This ruling does not change the status of existing DACA recipients, meaning those who currently have DACA can still renew. However, the Department of Homeland Security is temporarily prohibited from approving new applications. Let me be very clear, this ruling will be appealed, however, tens of thousands of new DACA applicants who have submitted their applications will be barred from receiving protections against deportation and work authorization during the appeal process. The only viable response is a permanent legislative solution fortifying DACA and creating a pathway to citizenship. Our immigration system is broken, full stop. We must reimagine the immigration system in a manner that is humane, just, and fair. The time has come for the values of our nation to be reflected in our immigration policies.”

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration,  a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

July 17, 2021 

Media contact: Remmington Belford Remmington.belford@mail.house.gov c: 202.480.5737