FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
September 5, 2017
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL HAILS “VICTORY FOR THE RULE OF LAW”
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DECISION TO END OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S
UNLAWFUL DACA PROGRAM
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall welcomed the Trump
Administration’s decision Tuesday to end the unlawful Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA) program which was implemented by an Obama administration memo
in 2012.
The DACA program, which granted legal presence and work eligibility to hundreds of
thousands of otherwise unlawfully present aliens, usurped the authority of Congress
and faced legal challenge by a coalition of ten states including Alabama.
“I am proud that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions agreed with me that the DACA
program is ‘an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch,'” said
Attorney General Marshall. “Only Congress has the authority to make U.S.
immigration law.
“The Trump Administration’s action is a victory for the Constitution and the rule of law
and it restores Congress’s rightful role in overseeing U.S. immigration policy. Only the
Legislative Branch of the Federal government can decide whether programs like DACA
should become immigration law. That question is now back in the hands of Congress.”
On June 29, 2017, Attorney General Marshall joined a coalition of ten state Attorneys
General asking the Trump administration to end the unlawful DACA program by
September 5, 2017, or face a legal challenge.
A copy of the AGs’ letter is linked here.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov