Updated 10:34 a.m.
In a 5-4 ruling on June 18, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The Center for American Progress reports there are roughly 15,000 DACA recipients in Colorado and, for now, they retain their protection from deportation and their authorization to work in the United States. The Court called the Trump administration decision to end the program “arbitrary and capricious.”
Republican Sen. Cory Garnder said the decision shows Congress needs to reach “a long-term solution” for Dreamers in Colorado and across the country, including a “pathway to citizenship”
“That’s why I support immediate passage of the Dream Act and would also support the House-passed Dream and Promise Act,” Gardner said. “The Senate should act quickly to provide permanent relief for Dreamers. I will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues in Congress to deliver certainty for Dreamers in a way the Court cannot.”
Gardner was one of the Gang of Six working on immigration in 2018 and won the National Immigration Forum’s Courage to Lead award with Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin last fall for work on immigration. The state's Democratic senator, Michael Bennet, who was also part of the Gang of Six and the Gang of Eight, working on Immigration issues, called the decision a rebuke of the president and his policies.
“In 2012, Dreamers came forward at the request of our government to seek legal protection from deportation. They put their faith in us to keep our word and protect them and their families. President Trump betrayed that trust and tainted the character of our nation,” Bennet said.
He said the ruling shows the urgency of getting to comprehensive immigration reform. “Using the Gang of Eight framework, we could protect Dreamers, secure our borders with 21st-century technology, support seasonal workers and business owners, and create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.”
Here are some key reactions from around the state:
Gov. Jared Polis
“Here in Colorado, we know our immigrants make our state, and our country, a stronger and a better place to live. Immigrants enrich our communities. I am thrilled that the thousands of DREAMers in Colorado will no longer be forced to live in fear and am glad the court made the right decision, although we still need Congress to act and create a pathway to citizenship. This is a historic moment for our country. Now is the time for the federal government to work together on bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform.”
Congressional Delegation
Rep. Joe Neguse: said the decision reaffirms that “home is and will remain here for hundreds of thousands of young students and workers who are contributing to our economy and our nation every day, many serving in essential roles in health care, child care and elsewhere to serve our society in the midst of a global health emergency.” He added that Congress must continue to fight for permanent protections for Dreamers.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter: “Today’s Supreme Court ruling upholds our nation’s values and reaffirms the U.S. as a nation of immigrants and opportunity.
“In Colorado, we know Dreamers are our friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, job creators and small business owners who make important contributions to our economy and enrich our society every day. And during the COVID-19 public health crisis, Dreamers have been essential workers on the frontlines helping to take care of our sick and keep our country running.
“With today’s ruling providing only temporary relief, it’s more important than ever that the Senate passes the Dream and Promise Act to ensure these young Americans can continue living their lives in the only home they’ve ever known.”
Senators
2020 Senate Candidates
This story is developing and we will be updating it as we learn more or hear from voices around the state.
CPR's Caitlyn Kim contributed to this report.
