The US President Donald Trump and his administration announced on Thursday that it will be canceling the former President Barack Obama’s policy for immigrant families. This policy enables the immigrant parents of American-born child to live in the country.
The policy, known as DAPA, for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents was introduced in 2014. It was aimed at helping the families of ‘dreamer’ children to stay with parents and away from the threat of deportation.
This policy was, however, never completely implemented as 26 states sued in Texas Federal district court and succeeded in blocking it. The Supreme Court then let this ruling stand last year after a tie vote of four to four.
In a memo the Obama’s administration said the government would defer action against illegal immigrant parents of children who were born in America and lawful citizens of the country. This will mainly apply to those born in the US and have parents without legal status.
The DAPA policy would have affected almost four million people, this includes the US born children before 2010. The Department of Homeland Security, however, announced this policy will be scrapped by the support of justice department. John Kelly, the DHS Secretary said “there is no credible path forward to litigate the currently enjoined policy.” He did not, however, speak if this policy will be replaced.
Adding to this, the DHS added the 2012 policy by Obama, DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals will be left in place. This policy allows people who entered the country illegally as children to live and study or work on two year renewals. This is aimed at helping the two million young people in staying in school and finishing their studies.
