DACA hopes renewed after latest federal ruling

HOUSTON (Fox 26) - President Trump’s plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has reached another roadblock.

On Tuesday, a federal judge ruled the program must continue if the Trump administration cannot better explain why the program is unlawful. The judge stated the administration officials have 90 days to make their case against DACA.

The news gives Jaidy Caballero, an undocumented student, hope.

“I think I’ve worked so hard to achieve so many things and knowing that there’s a chance that it can probably go through -- that makes me so happy,” Caballero told FOX 26 News.

She’s a senior at Cypress Creek High School in Houston. She hopes having a work permit under DACA can help her pay for college.

“[Right now] I can’t go into a 4-year college or get a good enough job because obviously, I’m unable to,” she added.

Caballero was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 5 years old.

Her older brothers are under the DACA program. Caballero applied in the past but she was asked for more documentation. She wasn’t able to resubmit her application before the program was cancelled last September.

“There’s so much that I can give [back] but they’re not letting me do it,” she said referring to federal government officials.

Immigration attorney Mana Yegani says this latest move by a federal judge is a major blow to the Trump Administration.

“The judge is saying that there’s no constitutional or lawful reason as to why this program was cancelled,” Yegani said.

This is the third time a federal judge has ruled against ending DACA. Earlier this year, a judge decided those who already have DACA should be able to renew their work permits.

“As of now, only those who have been accepted under the DACA protection may renew their employment authorization card. Everyone else, people who want to apply, initial applicants, they will have to wait 90 days for a final decision,” Yegani explained.