Governor joins other states in amicus brief supporting DACA
Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Montana Governor among other supporters
Governor Laura Kelly today joined other states in legal action supporting the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Kelly joined Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, as well as Montana Governor Steve Bullock, in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of DACA.
The friend-of-the-court brief, filed in Department of Homeland Security, et al., v. Regents of the University of California, et al., Case No. 18-587, opposes the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind DACA.
In the brief, Governor Kelly argues that rescinding DACA will cost Kansas millions of dollars in tax income and economic growth, while unfairly punishing undocumented Kansans who are contributing to the Kansas economy and enhancing the state’s culture.
“It goes without saying that we need Washington to finally fix our country’s broken immigration system. But here in Kansas, we care about the well-being of all of our children,” Kelly said. “We simply shouldn’t punish children for decisions their parents made years ago. That’s not who we are as Kansans.
“These young people have worked hard, attended our schools and continue to give back as teachers, nurses, police officers, or by serving in the military. They belong here, and we welcome their contributions in our communities and to our economy.”
In Kansas, nearly 6,000 DACA recipients generate $111 million in annual spending power and pay $12.6 million annually in state and local taxes. The Cato Institute conservatively estimates that rescinding DACA will cost the Kansas economy $1.76 billion over the next decade, while the Center for American Progress estimates that the Kansas economy would lose $335 million in annual gross domestic product (GDP).
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case on Nov. 12, 2019. More than 25 governors or state attorneys general are participating in the case in support of DACA