Senate Leader Atkins Praises SCOTUS Decision to Uphold DACA
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement following news today that in a 5-to-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for now, which provides legal protections to youth brought to the U.S. as minors.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for now is a victory, both for those who qualify for the program, and our entire nation. Since its inception in 2012, DACA has helped nearly 800,000 people who came to the U.S. as children flourish, shielding them from deportation and allowing them access to education and work visas. California has the most active DACA recipients of any state, with more than 184,000 recipients, and over 50 percent of them women. They are our family, neighbors, and friends, and their talents will help our state succeed for generations to come.
“This decision is a win for equality and immigrant rights, and rounds out a week in which it truly feels like justice, and the rights of the people, have prevailed. America needed the positive outcomes of the DACA case and LGBTQ workplace protection case more than ever, and these rulings reaffirm that focus, commitment, and courage can win the day.”
###
Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins