In late 2017 WRI issued a policy brief on DACA and New Jersey; it was recently cited in the amicus brief filed by the State of New Jersey in the matter of Texas v. United States of America.
As reported in the New York Times, a federal judge in Texas heard arguments on August 8 by Texas and eight other states in an effort to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). A coalition of business groups and border town mayors filed a brief arguing that ending DACA could substantially damage the regional economy. The State of New Jersey filed an amici curaie brief in support of the defense, citing the harm ending DACA could inflict on the state’s economy.
WRIs’ policy paper, cited in New Jersey’s amicus brief, details various impacts of DACA in the State and potential outcomes of eliminating the program.
DACA’s fate is currently uncertain. Simultaneous law suits in California, New York, Texas, and Washington point in several directions. If necessary, a full decision by the Supreme Court would not likely come until next summer.