LOS ANGELES, Calif. — With several states, including California, suing the Trump administration to oppose the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas will file a motion Tuesday asking Los Angeles County’s lawyers to file amicus briefs in support of their litigation.
“For many Dreamers, the US is the only country they have ever known. Ending DACA will result in uncertainty and turmoil, not only for the nation’s 800,000 Dreamers but also for our entire community, of which they are an integral part,” Board Chairman Ridley-Thomas said. “It’s important that Los Angeles County express support for our Dreamers.”
His motion urges the Board to direct County Counsel to file amicus briefs – also known as “friend of the court” briefs – in lawsuits aimed at keeping DACA in place, and to allow other public entities in California to sign onto those amicus briefs. California is home to more than 200,000 DACA recipients, often referred to as “Dreamers.”
To date, 15 states and the District of Columbia have taken legal action against the Trump administration’s plans to rescind DACA in March, as has University of California President Janet Napolitano, who authored DACA during her tenure as Homeland Security Secretary. Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed suit this morning on behalf of the State of California.
Created by the Obama administration in 2012, DACA allows young immigrants brought into the US illegally as children to get a temporary reprieve from deportation, as well as permission to work, study and obtain driver’s licenses.
