States threaten to sue if Trump scraps DACA

At least two states are threatening to sue if President Trump decides to cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) said Monday that his state will sue Trump if he ends the program, which shields from deportation undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as minors and allows them to receive work permits.

“If President Trump follows through on his reported decision to cancel DACA after a six-month delay, the Washington Attorney General’s Office will file suit to halt this cruel and illegal policy and defend DACA recipients,” Ferguson said in a statement.

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“We have been working closely with legal teams around the country, and we expect to be joined by other states in this action.”

Ferguson’s statement comes after New York’s governor and attorney general also said their state would sue if Trump ends the Obama-era program.

Nearly 800,000 immigrants have received deportation deferrals under the program, which began in 2012.

Trump is expected to end the program with a six-month delay, giving Congress the opportunity to step in and pass legislation, according to multiple reports.

The White House has said that there will make a formal announcement on the future of the program Tuesday.