Companies like Univision and Warby Parker are joining New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in suing the Trump administration over the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Last week, they became the first two companies to file declarations to support the lawsuit, which is also backed by 16 other attorneys general and the State of Colorado.
The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration failed to honor promises made to DACA recipients, including one that personal information submitted with DACA applications would not be used for immigration enforcement. It also states that the administration violated due process by failing to give DACA recipients adequate notice about renewing their status.
Warby Parker is a prescription eyeglass and sunglass brand based out of New York City. Its co-founder and co-CEO, David Gilboa, immigrated to the Unites States at age 6.
“We will fight to preserve the DACA program because we believe that protecting the future of young, undocumented immigrants is vital to our country’s economy,” Gilboa stated. “Staying silent wasn’t an option.”
Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision, highlighted the important contributions of young immigrants.
“…Hard-working DACA beneficiaries are essential to creating and disseminating the news, entertainment, and services that Univision provides to millions of Americans every day,” Falco stated.
He also emphasized that the termination of DACA will hurt Univision as a news organization because there will be increased reluctance from immigrants to speak on news broadcasts or public affairs. Without immigrants contributing their thoughts and ideas, its reporting will be weaker.
Also joining the suit was the nonprofit Partnership for New York City, stating that with 44 percent of their company being immigrants, the cost would be immense to replace the DACA recipients, who legally and fairly acquired their jobs.
The Association for a Better New York (ABNY), another nonprofit also joining the lawsuit, underscored the fact that DACA recipients pay their taxes, but do not qualify for many governmental benefits.
“Undocumented immigrants who were enrolled in the DACA program in 2016 paid an estimated $140 million in state and local taxes,” ABNY stated.
