DACA ‘Dreamers‘ Face Uncertain Future as Legal Battles Rage On
Fears of Deportation Linger as Court Cases Looming Large
The future feels precarious again for hundreds of thousands of immigrant “Dreamers,” beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. After surviving the initial wave of uncertainty when former President Donald Trump first threatened to end the program, they now face another round of anxiety as Trump prepares to return to the White House and a court decision possibly hangs the program’s fate in limbo.
Reyna Montoya, a DACA recipient and founder of Aliento, an Arizona-based immigrant advocacy group, knows this feeling all too well. She arrived in the US at age 10, fleeing violence in Tijuana. For years, even a minor traffic violation filled her with fear of deportation. Relief only came in 2012 when she was accepted into DACA, which granted her, and hundreds of thousands of others, protection from deportation and the chance to work legally.
But those hard-won rights feel fragile. The battle over DACA isn’t new, but winded, it’s far from over. As Trump sets to reclaim the presidency, some fear the worst: mass deportations and the dismantling of the DACA program.
“I have to take his words very seriously, that when they say ‘mass deportation,’ they also include people like me,” said Montoya.
This time, the legal challenges to infiltrate the program are just as daunting. While new applications are on hold following a court ruling deeming DACA illegal. Existing recipients can still renew, but fear looms large.
DACA transformed Montoya’s life. She gained access to jobs, medical care, a driver’s license – opportunities previously out of reach.
Many hoped for a different outcome – a win for Kamala Harris and continued support for their cause. Now, facing Trump’s return and a potential rollback of programs offering temporary safeguard for Americans. The threat of separation hangs heavy for families who fear for the future.
“That was a very real conversation we had,” said Pedro Gonzalez-Aboyte, another DACA recipient from Phoenix. Now joining a chorus of voices urging Americans to offer sanctuary and prepare for the possibility of mass deportations.
”My parents, they told me, if they can’t stay in the country as long as their three children are here and they are well, that’s what they want for us now more than ever.” He isn’t alone.
The urgency leads some to rush to renew their permits. Immigrant rights groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights are scrambling to provide legal aid, struggling to keep up with the demand.
Meanwhile, the courts hold DACA’s fate in their hands. A court ruling in Texas is on appeal. The Biden administration pushed to preserve and strengthen the program, but a Texas-led group are fighting. They argue that immigrants here without legal authorization cost the states big money.
The legal hurdles seem insurmountable.
Stephen Yale-Loehr, a Professor of Immigration Legal Practice at Cornell University, believes the most probable scenario is that the court will ultimately affirm DACA’s illegality and send the case back to the Supreme Court, elevating the threat to the program even higher. He doubts Trump will act swiftly but acknowledges the chance is real and the possibilities remain very much open.
Right now, there’s little the Biden administration can do to protect those currently benefiting from DACA. Experts suggest losing more time might speed up the process but there are many others vying for very limited resources.
But the D
How do legal challenges surrounding DACA impact the lives of individuals who benefit from the program?
## Uncertain Future for Dreamers as Legal Battles Continue
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing the precarious future facing hundreds of thousands of “Dreamers,” beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Joining us is Reyna Montoya, a DACA recipient and founder of Aliento, an Arizona-based immigrant advocacy group. Reyna, thank you for being here.
**Reyna Montoya:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** You know this issue firsthand. Can you tell us what it’s like to live with this constant uncertainty?
**Reyna Montoya:** It’s incredibly stressful. When Trump originally tried to end the program, we faced immense fear and anxiety. Every traffic stop, every interaction with authorities felt like a potential threat. [[1](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daca-appeals-court-dreamers-deportation-protections/)]While we’ve had temporary reprieves, the legal battles continue, and now with Trump’s return to the White House looming, those fears are resurfacing.
**Host:** You mentioned legal battles. Can you explain what’s happening in the courts?
**Reyna Montoya:** Recently, a court ruled that DACA is illegal, putting new applications on hold. While current recipients like myself can renew, it feels like a ticking time bomb. Every day that passes without a permanent solution adds to the stress and uncertainty.
**Host:** What would be the impact of losing DACA protection for individuals like yourself?
**Reyna Montoya:** It would be devastating. DACA allowed me to work legally, get a driver’s license, access healthcare. I built a life here, contributed to my community. Losing that would mean going back to living in the shadows, facing the constant threat of deportation.
**Host:** What message do you have for lawmakers and the American people?
**Reyna Montoya:** “Dreamers” are Americans in every way but on paper. We contribute to our communities, pay taxes, and deserve a pathway to citizenship. We urge lawmakers to find a permanent solution and protect DACA, not just for us, but for the future of this country.
**
Host:** Thank you for sharing your story, Reyna. It’s a powerful reminder of the human cost of this ongoing legal and political battle.
