FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2020

CONTACT:  Kathy Melley, (617)791-0708

(BOSTON, MA) – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program, that has allowed more than 650,000 immigrant youth to live, work and study in the United States.

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to the ruling:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision on DACA is a huge victory for the more than 650,000 immigrant young people – ‘DREAMers’ – allowing them to continue to study, work and contribute to their local communities. The ruling underscores what we already know – immigrants are a vital part of the fabric of our nation, and our policies should reflect that. DREAMers and their families are our friends, neighbors, coworkers, doctors, first responders and teachers. Many have played a heroic role working on the front lines to support our country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 “The decision is also a strong rebuke of the Trump administration’s racist and xenophobic anti-immigration policies that have torn apart families, stoked fear and anxiety in immigrant communities, and done irreparable harm to the health and well-being of immigrants in our country. Today, we celebrate the hope and relief this ruling brings to DREAMers and their families. And tomorrow, we continue our work alongside immigrant, health and racial justice advocate partners to ensure all immigrant families can live safely and freely and that everyone, regardless of where they were born, has access to economic opportunity, health care, and other essentials they need to thrive.”

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.