For Immediate Release: July 7, 2022
Contact: Mayra Castro, mcastro@faithinaction.org, 562-841-4377

New York, NY – Today, the Batalla Vidal v. Mayorkas’ case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Plaintiffs on the case argue that the U.S. should do more to fully implement the 2012 DACA Memorandum while complying with the existing court orders. 

The existing court orders include: 

• The U.S. government can process up to, but not including, adjudication for 78k stalled first-time DACA applications submitted December 2020 – July 2021,
• The U.S. government can adjudicate Extended Renewal Applications,
• The U.S. government can provide interim protection for the 78k first-time DACA applicants stuck in limbo.

Eliana Fernandez, Immigration Director of Faith in Action’s LA RED and Batalla Vidal v. Mayorkas Plaintiff, said:

“There’s a mix of emotions as I head to Court, once again, to defend and protect DACA. For the last five years, we have been going from court to court, winning time after time. Although DACA has never been enough, it’s a program that works and has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people across the country. As an advocate, I am angry and frustrated to witness the inaction and failure of the Biden Administration and Congress to provide a pathway to legalization not only for DACAmented folks like myself, but for all undocumented immigrants in the country. DACA recipients cannot continue to live in legal limbo and plan their lives in two-year increments. We deserve to live a life with respect and dignity. I am committed to continue to fight for families like mine because Our Home Is Here.”

Rev. Alvin Herring, Faith in Action Executive Director, said:

“At Faith in Action we are committed to fighting for a future that is rooted in love and inclusivity. We will fight for a future that recognizes we are all interconnected and that justice means equitable access to freedom, dignity, safety, and humanity. DACA has opened doors to many of our kindred, including many people on our staff and across the country. It has allowed them to pursue their highest aspirations and provided them with peace of mind from deportation but we must do more to humanize our dear siblings. President Biden and Congress need to deliver on their promises of providing a pathway to citizenship. The time is now. At the end of the day, this is fundamentally about the lives of precious people, people who pour their hearts and souls into this country we all call home.”