The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy has provided protection from deportation and work authorization for undocumented young people who arrived as children and who have grown up in the United States (aka “Dreamers”) for more than a decade. A federal judge in Texas ruled in 2021 that the DACA policy is unlawful, barring the government from accepting new applications; for now, current DACA holders are still permitted to renew their status every two years as outlined by the original policy. In July, the Biden Administration appealed this ruling and defended the DACA policy in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. A decision in State of Texas v. USA—likely ruling that DACA is illegal and that the policy must end—could be handed down any day now.
Congress has not yet developed a more permanent solution to allow these Dreamers to continue living, working, and studying legally in our communities. Over the past 10 years, more than 100,000 Texas immigrants have built families, launched businesses, and established careers that have helped our communities and economy flourish because of the benefits of temporary deportation protections and work authorizations. The DACA-eligible population in Texas has contributed $963.4 million in annual federal, state, and local taxes. Without the positive action from Congress, it is estimated that Texas could lose $8 billion in annual GDP and about $78 million in state and local taxes each year, as well as the thousands of immigrant workers and students who have called Texas home since childhood who face deportation.
The state of Texas has the second highest number of DACA recipients, and in the San Antonio metropolitan area, immigrants make up nearly 12% of our population. Immigrants are also more likely to be working age than their US born counterparts and are more likely to be active in the labor force and contributing to our economy. If you are concerned about the lack of a permanent solution for Dreamers and its impact on your business and workforce, please contact Katie Ferrier, Vice President of Education & Workforce Development.