A federal immigration appeals court has reversed a lower court ruling that would have protected a DACA recipient from deportation proceedings, potentially setting a precedent that could affect thousands of others in similar situations.
The Board of Immigration Appeals, which operates under the Justice Department’s authority, ruled in favor of Department of Homeland Security attorneys who challenged Immigration Judge Michael Pleters’ original decision to halt removal proceedings against Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protection.
The three-judge appellate panel’s decision overturns Judge Pleters’ ruling that would have terminated Santiago’s deportation case, effectively allowing the government to continue pursuing her removal from the United States despite her DACA status.
This ruling could have broader implications for other DACA recipients facing similar deportation proceedings, as it demonstrates the government’s willingness to challenge protective decisions made by immigration judges at the trial level.
