Federal Judge’s DACA ruling has impact on the Central Coast

It was a win for DACA recipients and hopefuls, Tuesday night.

Federal Judge, John D. Bates, ruled the Trump Administration’s 2017 rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was “unlawful.” The Department of Homeland Security now has 90 days to make their case.

“We’ve been very clear. We think it’s an illegal program, but that’s something that the Department of Justice is going to have to handle,” White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders, said.

This decisions would not just allow for DACA renewals, but new applications. Something Elhy Negrete is ready for. “(It would allow me to) finish school, get a job, (and) help my parents.”

Negrete is an undocumented student at Hartnell College. She wants to be a police officer, defending the law she hopes would defend her.

“What is so difficult about giving a person a chance to do something with their life and provide to a country that gave them so much,” Negrete said.

If the DHS cannot explain why DACA is “unlawful,” Elhy won’t be alone.

“No one has an exact figure, but I’m fairly certain (the number of DACA recipients could) be over a million,” Immigration Lawyer, Blanca Zarazua, said.

Zarazua says those who haven’t applied for DACA should start gathering their documents and preparing their applications, despite the possibility of no change for about three months.”I’m telling people (to) never lose faith, especially on DACA. It is so politically charged, and it’s in the courts, and so you don’t know where it’s going to be tomorrow.”

There has already been strong push back in Washington, this week. The Department of Justice put out a statement saying in part that they “will continue to vigorously defend this position, and look forward to vindicating its position in further litigation.”

For the full ruling: CLICK HERE