© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Click here for information on transmitter status in the Treasure and Magic Valleys

Idaho Immigration Organization Celebrates DACA Decision, Says There's Still Work To Be Done

JACQUELYN MARTIN / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carlos Esteban, 31, of Woodbridge, Va., a nursing student and recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, rallies with others in support of DACA outside of the White House, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017.

The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, on Thursday.

 

 

“This has weighed heavily on everybody’s mind," said Maria Andrade, an attorney and the executive director at Immigrant Justice Idaho.

 

About 3,000 people in Idaho are DACA recipients, and many more are eligible for the program, according to Andrade.

 

"We’re overjoyed that that part of the waiting and anxiety has ended, and we’re going to take the time to celebrate the win, while being mindful that the work isn’t over," she said.

 

The work isn’t over, she said, because President Trump and Congress still have the authority to end the program.

 

“The court case agreed that the administration has the power to terminate the program, but they didn’t use that power correctly," Andrade said.

 

That means lawyers have a limited window to help people who haven’t been able to sign up for DACA since the Trump Administration's effort to end the program in 2017. There's a cohort of individuals who aged in to the program — by turning 15 — who haven't been able to gain access because of the legal challenges.

 

To help people immediately, the legal services organization is setting up an outdoor office to reach clients, but at a social distance. 

“We have on order what will be the makings of our office outside, so we can begin to see people in person, which is usually everybody’s preference," Andrade said.

There will be remote services available, too.

Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen

Copyright 2020 Boise State Public Radio

I cover environmental issues, outdoor recreation and local news for Boise State Public Radio. Beyond reporting, I contribute to the station’s digital strategy efforts and enjoy thinking about how our work can best reach and serve our audience. The best part of my job is that I get to learn something new almost every day.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.