Texas Judge Causes Outcry by Demanding Names of DACA Immigrants

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Federal judge Andrew Hanen has provoked an outcry by demanding detailed personal information that identifies young immigrants caught in a bureaucratic bungle. Now the immigrants are fighting the move.

The Texas judge has ordered the Department of Justice to provide the names of more than 100,000 immigrants who received three-year renewals of deferrals of deportation as well as work permits under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2012.  They should have been given two-year renewals, reported ABC news.

Judge Andrew Hanen

Federal Judge Andrew Hanen

It’s not the first time Hanen has courted controversy. He was the judge who blocked President Barack Obama’s immigration executive action. The issue recently came before the U.S. Supreme Court which heard evidence in April. Texas and 25 other states are opposing Obama’s orders.

Hanen has ordered the DOJ to provide the names of all of the immigrants who were given DACA benefits from November 20, 2014, to March 3, 2015. Although the lists would be sealed, the judge ordered the government department to separate out states and send sealed copies to each one. He wants the lists to include:

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • A comprehensive list of contact information
  • The immigrant’s identifying “A” file numbers.

Four Immigrants Challenge Personal Information Release by Judge

The Department of Justice was told to provide the immigrants’ names by June 10. However, four immigrants launched a legal challenge just days earlier.

They sought a decision that would have prevented personal details from falling into the hands of states that are seeking to block Obama’s executive actions. The petition asked the New Orleans-based federal fifth circuit appeals court to make a ruling before June 10.

Many undocumented immigrants are understandably sensitive about providing personal information because they fear it could be used against them.

Angelica Villalobos, one of the four immigrants to launch the appeal, told the media Judge Hanen’s order could lead to immigrants thinking twice before submitting personal information.

It has also been condemned by Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, who told reporters that the judge’s ruling lacks legal justification and would involve providing the personal details of thousands of teenagers and young immigrants.

If you applied for deferred action, you are likely to be facing considerable uncertainty and upheaval as the issue is fought in the courts. The prospect of the states that are hostile to the program gaining your personal details may be an added worry. Read more about the deferred action programs here on our website.

If you are eligible for deferred action or have another concern about an immigration matter, please call our experienced Texas deferred action attorneys for help at (512) 399-2311.

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