AUSTIN, TX—Honoring the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) and FWD.us and convened DACA recipients for a roundtable discussion on the growing uncertainty facing Dreamers across Texas.
The event featured firsthand accounts from DACA recipients whose lives have been recently disrupted by increased immigration enforcement, prolonged renewal delays, and ongoing legal challenges.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar opened the discussion by recognizing the contributions Dreamers have made to Texas communities, while FWD.us provided an update on the current legal and policy landscape, emphasizing that nearly 200 DACA recipients have been detained and at least 80 deported. DACA recipients shared firsthand accounts of how legal uncertainty has disrupted their ability to work, plan for the future, and continue contributing to their communities. Participants emphasized that the only permanent solution is for Congress to enact bipartisan legislation that provides Dreamers with lasting protections and a pathway to citizenship.
“Dreamers make Texas better and they make America better," said Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35). “Years after Dreamers won protections through tireless advocacy, attacks from extreme politicians have created unacceptable fear and uncertainty for Dreamers. Congress must pass permanent protections for Dreamers and comprehensive immigration reform to give hardworking Texans a pathway to citizenship.”
Established in 2012, DACA was designed to protect immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation and give them access to education in the U.S. Today, many DACA recipients are parents, homeowners, professionals, and community leaders. Most (99%) have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and more than half (45%) have some college education. The overwhelming majority (89%) are in the labor force. Yet despite their deep roots and contributions, recipients continue to face legal uncertainty and, increasingly, the risk of detention and deportation.
There are approximately 84,000 DACA recipients in Texas alone. The average age of a DACA recipient in Texas is 33, and they have been in our country for an average of 26 years. More than 70,000 DACA recipients in Texas are also part of our workforce, playing vital roles in key sectors of the state economy.
“As we mark the 14th anniversary of DACA, it is critical to remember that these policies affect real people—our neighbors, coworkers, parents, and community leaders. For more than a decade, DACA has allowed Dreamers to build careers, pursue an education, support their families, and contribute to the communities they call home. Congress must provide a permanent solution that gives Dreamers the stability and certainty they deserve,” said Zaira Garcia, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us.
“DACA gave me the legal right to work. In fourteen years, I've done exactly that: building a career in finance and operations at a top global company and contributing to the economy. But DACA was never meant to be a permanent solution. We need Congress to act. Every day that passes, more Dreamers like me are facing uncertainty and renewal delays. Now I'm asking Congress to invest in the millions of Dreamers like me.” said Edilsa Lopez, a DACA recipient.
“DACA recipients are grateful people. We are woven into the fabric of our communities as entrepreneurs, employees, taxpayers, volunteers, and church members. In many cases, we are some of our employers' most dedicated and trusted workers. Without a permanent solution, it is not only DACA recipients who are unable to plan for the future; employers, community leaders, and faith communities are left with uncertainty as well. Congress must finally provide the stability and certainty that Dreamers—and the communities that depend on us—deserve,” said Juan Rodriguez, a DACA recipient.
“Texas is my home. I am passionate about creating spaces that bring our community together and using my background to advocate for my neighbors. It is the people who live here that make this state so special. DACA recipients care deeply about our communities, yet despite our contributions, we live with the fear that our work authorization could be taken away—or worse, that we could be detained or deported. I am hopeful that Congress will be able to come together and provide us with the stability that we deserve.” said Divina Ceniceros Dominguez, a DACA recipient.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON THE DACA POLICY STATE OF PLAY
The Texas v. United States DACA lawsuit remains unresolved, leaving hundreds of thousands of Dreamers in legal limbo. Following the Fifth Circuit's ruling, no party petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case, meaning it now returns to Judge Andrew Hanen for further proceedings. The Fifth Circuit directed Judge Hanen to revise his order so that DACA work authorization would be deemed unlawful only in Texas, while recipients in the other 49 states would continue to receive full DACA protections. However, Judge Hanen has not yet issued a new order, and the current status quo remains in place. Existing DACA recipients can continue renewing their protections and work permits nationwide, while first-time DACA applications remain frozen and cannot be approved.
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