Employers 'freaking out' over DACA ruling, immigration attorney says
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A local immigrant advocacy group is urging Congress to find a solution to DACA, the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program, in response to a Texas federal judge's ruling.
The judge ruled last Friday to halt new applications and called the DACA program illegal.
SEE MORE: Federal judge orders end to DACA, current enrollees safe for now
President Joe Biden said last week the Department of Justice will be filing an appeal, but that means the fate of the DACA program is uncertain for first-time applicants.
Along the Southwest Freeway on Thursday, members of FIEL Houston held a banner that read, "SAVE DACA," intended to be a message to Congress following Friday's ruling.
"I was one of the lucky ones," said Yazmin Medrano, a recent DACA recipient.
Medrano said her application was approved just before Friday's ruling, but some of her other friends and applicants who had been waiting for years to apply were not so lucky.
"I was held back many years before, and that did not hold me back from my dreams," Medrano said. "I still kept going. I still kept going to school. Just keep on going."
The DACA program started back in 2012 under the Obama administration and provides limited protections to roughly 650,000 people, including about 30,000 recipients who are health care workers.
FIEL Houston's Executive Director Cesar Espinosa is one of the 62,000 DACA recipients living in the greater Houston area. He said those currently in the program are also dealing with delays for renewals due to a backlog.
Dr. Laura Murillo, president and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said local business owners are concerned that if Congress does not find a permanent solution, it will add to the workforce shortage.
"We can not afford any more unintended consequences as a result of DACA, especially when it comes to our economy. They help our economy," said Murillo.
Immigration attorney Jacob Monty, of Monty & Ramirez Law Firm, said he has received similar concerns from business owners and their employees.
"This decision has caused so much havoc for employers," Monty said. "We've been getting calls from employers that are freaking out that their key employees are going to lose work authority. We've also got calls from DACA recipients who are concerned. Will their DACA status still be valid?"
Monty said he wants the community to understand there are lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that are in favor of the program, but the time to act is now. He said it's vital for those who are already in the program to maintain their status.
"If you have DACA, it's still good, but don't let your DACA status expire," Monty said. "Always apply for renewal before it expires."
SEE ALSO: Texas judge's ruling against DACA program leaves clouded future for Dreamers
Eyewitness News is keeping a close eye on movement in any DACA legislation. For more, follow Roxie Bustamante on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
