Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition

Supreme Court Supports DACA: Immigrant Families Able to Keep Protections

Jun 18 2020    Press Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2020

CONTACT: Maria Sotomayor, 610-883-3459

Pennsylvania –  Today, the Supreme Court announced in a 5-4 ruling that President Trump did not have the authority to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program cases. 

This decision impacts the lives of over 700,000 current DACA recipients and their families across the country. In Pennsylvania over 6,000 DACA recipients and their families have been waiting for this decision to come.  The continuation of the program ensures relief from deportation, continuation of work permits, financial stability, and opportunities for individuals to plan out their future. This is a win for the immigrant community who are committed to protecting DACA recipients, TPS & DED hodlers, and all undocumented immigrants. 

“For over 8 years, DACA has given relief to many families across our state and country,” says Maria Sotomayor, Deputy Director of Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), “Today we take time to celebrate the continuation of this critical program, and tomorrow we continue to fight for bigger changes.” 

PICC will be hosting a Facebook Live presentation at 1pm, Thursday, June 18 to present more details on the decision and impact for immigrant communities. Members of the press can watch at: https://www.facebook.com/PAImmigrant/

We call the Trump Administration to continue the program without any drastic changes and to reinstitute first-time DACA applications so millions of young people and their families can apply and move forward. We also call on Congress to take action to enact legislation to protect all immigrant communities. The Pennsylvania Immigraiton and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), and over 50 organizations across Pennsylvania are united in demanding policies that extend protections for DACA recipients, TPS and DED holders, and all undocumented immigrants.

Community response: 

“During this pandemic myself and over 200,000 DACA recipients have been working on the frontline fearing that the Trump administration will end the DACA program. If the DACA program ends, we will lose our rights to work in this country that we have contributed to for the last eight years since DACA began. Many of us support our families, and with the fear of deportation our families would be left with a burden. With the DACA program we can continue to contribute to the country that we love and have called home.” Jessica Soto 

“DACA allowed me to be able to apply to jobs after graduating college, applying for a drivers license, purchasing my first car, and stopping the emotional and mental pain of fear from being deported. It has allowed me to feel part of this society where I can do every day normal things that American citizens do without having to think about it. It’s time to continue to fight for the greater good and support all the undocumented people in this country. Please continue to help us fight for our people and our futures.” Angie Sotomayor 

“As a stateless person in the United States I do not have citizenship in any country in the world. My statelessness prevents me from a path to citizenship via my US born husband, even with a valid I-130 approval. DACA provides me access to basic human rights including identification, employment and mobility. However, DACA does not provide a path to citizenship. While we’re grateful for today’s outcome, we know that under current law, DACA is not protected. We are confident that there will be further attempts to end this program under the current or future administrations. We have yet to see any leading political platform that acknowledge stateless rights or sufficiently extend and protect DACA  to provide a path to citizenship ” Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough

“DACA has brought so much to me. I was able to obtain my first job at the age of 15 with a work permit, obtain my driver’s license and attended college. Coming here at such a young age I know nothing but the United States, this is my home.  We need to pass an immigration reform now! We have started this fight from the beginning and will not wait any longer for citizenship!  We will continue to fight as a whole community with no barriers. We will not live in the shadows, this is our fight for us and our families to fight for what we deserve. I am asking the Trump Admissionation to stop attacking DACA, and instead find a real solution for all immigration reform!” – Stephanie Nuñez, MILPA, Harrisburg PA

ACLAMO is pleased with the decision made today by the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court of the United States, to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We join with many fellow Americans to celebrate this decision and urge legislators to work on a permanent solution for over 700,000 DACA recipients. Congratulations to everyone who has fought tirelessly for these young Americans!


The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC) is a diverse coalition of over 50 member organizations across the state. PICC leads and supports campaigns to advance immigrant rights at the local, state, and federal levels; builds immigrant electoral power through voter registration and education; supports grassroots community-led organizations through training and capacity building; and helps increase access to immigration services through the PA is Ready! project.