Washington, D.C — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States protected hundreds of thousands of young people who rely on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, many of whom are people of color. Millions of families will now have temporary peace of mind. Nearly 256,000 U.S. children have at least one parent who is a DACA recipient and across the country, 2.5 million U.S. citizens live with a DACA recipient. 

“Human rights won today in the Supreme Court — and we’re proud to stand in solidarity with the immigrant youth and community leaders who have fought tirelessly to protect their families, especially Black immigrant communities facing heightened risk from law enforcement,” said Jennifer Allen Aroz, LCV’s Arizona-based Senior Vice President of Community & Civic Engagement. “It’s long past time for the Senate to pass H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, and ensure that Dreamers remain protected and have a path to citizenship. This is an important moment for people in every corner of our country, yet the deeply embedded racism and injustice that immigrant communities will continue to face needs to be named and dismantled. As LCV fights for the right of immigrant communities to breathe clean air and have a planet that can sustain the hopes and dreams of generations to come, we will continue to stand with immigrant families who are fighting to be part of a country that is grounded in justice and equity.”

The fight to protect all immigrants cannot take place without the movement for Black lives. Part of defending immigrants includes the defense of our Black immigrant community, who are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We have said it before, and we will say it again and again: there is no environmental justice without racial and social justice. 

Deputy Director of Chispa Estefany Carrasco became DACAmented in 2012. This is her story:

“I know the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear of living without status and not being sure what the future holds for you and your family. In 2012, I was one of over half a million young people across the country who became DACAmented. DACA gave me a chance, it gave me a work permit, additional educational opportunities, I was able to buy my first home, but mostly, it gave me a sense of hope.

Today, that hope is in community. I don’t trust this administration to fully want what’s best for immigrant communities, I trust the movement and the frontline leaders who are continuously fighting for our families. DACA does not define us. Right now, our communities can continue to work, attend school and be there for their families. 

Chispa is committed to fighting for the liberation of our DACAmented staff, Black lives, and our undocumented immigrant communities, to ensure we can all live full and safe lives regardless of the color of our skin or immigration status and can live and thrive freely.”

White supremacy is a stain on the values of our country, and justice cannot be achieved until we dismantle the long standing racist infrastructure of our country’s government and systems, including justice for Black lives, justice for immigrant communities, and environmental justice. 

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