Judge Upholds Ruling In Princeton DACA Case

PRINCETON, NJ — A judge has upheld his earlier ruling that the Trump Administration's decision to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was “arbitrary and capricious.”

U.S. District Judge John D. Bates issued his initial decision in April in a case in which a Princeton University student, the university and Microsoft challenged the federal government's decision to end the program.

Bates said the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to rescind DACA was arbitrary and capricious because the department failed adequately to explain its conclusion that the program was unlawful. DHS had 90 days to explain why the DACA program is unlawful. On Friday, Bates upheld his decision.

“We are very pleased that the court today reaffirmed its ruling that the government’s termination of the DACA program ‘was unlawful and must be set aside,’” Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said. “As the court noted, it ‘sees no reason to change its earlier determination that DACA’s rescission was arbitrary and capricious.’

“Princeton University’s continued success as a world-class institution of learning and research depends on our ability to attract talent from all backgrounds, including DREAMers. Our DACA students have earned numerous academic honors, awards and fellowships. Their contributions strengthen our community, and we are proud to stand with them.

“Though we are delighted with today’s ruling, we will continue to urge Congress to enact a permanent solution that recognizes the contributions DREAMers make and grants them the permanent protection and certainty that they deserve.”

See related: Judge Rules For Princeton, Microsoft In DACA Case

Microsoft has been outspoken in its support for DACA recipients. In September, Microsoft President Brad Smith said his company would “work as needed with other companies and the broader business community to vigorously defend the legal rights of all Dreamers.”

Princeton is known as an inclusive community overall. After DACA was rescinded, Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert urged Congress to act quickly to "create an immigration system that is fair, just and moral."She also participated in a rally in November in which protesters urged Congress to provide a path to citizenship for young immigrants.

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