Texas Applicants Excluded from Proposed DACA Reopening Amid Ongoing Lawsuit

MISSION, TEXAS — The Trump administration has proposed reopening new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for the first time in four years. However, if approved by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, the plan would exclude Texas applicants from receiving work permits. Instead, they would only be granted deportation protection. Additionally, current DACA recipients who relocate to Texas could lose their work permits.

The proposal comes after a federal appeals court ruling that allows the federal government to legally protect immigrants from deportation but deems the two-year work permit likely illegal. The ruling applies to all states except Texas, where a lawsuit filed in 2018 by the state challenges the legality of DACA.

The Department of Justice has requested a postponement of court proceedings due to the current federal shutdown, which has halted funding for lawyers working on the case. Judge Hanen has agreed to delay scheduled deadlines until Congress restores funding.

The proposed changes, if implemented, would significantly impact the more than 89,000 DACA recipients residing in Texas, potentially limiting their ability to work legally in the state. The lawsuit remains ongoing, and the future of the DACA program in Texas remains uncertain.