JUDGE

Young Immigrants Pleased With Latest DACA Ruling

Young immigrants protected from deportation through the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival program known as DACA are pleased with the latest ruling issued by a U.S. District Court judge.

On Tuesday, Judge John Bates called the Department of Homeland Security's legal explanation to shut down DACA, "arbitrary" and ordered the government keep the program in place and accept new applications.

DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, are hopeful the decision will help their path towards permanent citizenship. DACA provides protection from deportation to young immigrants who entered illegally or overstayed visas and provides work permits.

Palloma Jovita came to America from Brazil at the age of 5. The senior at Framingham State University says her ability to graduate may have been compromised if DACA remained shut down, after the Trump administration ended the program.

"I wasn't sure I was even going to be able to get my degree," Jovita said. "It was a nightmare. I woke up and my mom was crying when we heard the news that he took away DACA and we immediately called a lawyer."

Judge Bates says the Department of Homeland Security now has 90 days to prove why DACA is unlawful. If they're unable to do so, the government is required to accept and process new applications.

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