Colorado to join multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s DACA decision

On Wednesday, Colorado leaders announced their plans to join a multi-state lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s plan to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, according to a news release from Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office.

The lawsuit is led by New York, Washington and Massachusetts.

DACA protects immigrants from deportation who arrived as children and meet certain qualifications.

“President Trump’s decision to end the DACA program is outrageous and risks the futures of more than 17,000 Coloradans,” Hickenlooper said in the statement. “Colorado benefits when DREAMers have the opportunity to thrive in our communities and the only country they’ve ever known. These young people should not have to suffer because of our broken immigration system.”

Hickenlooper added that the lawsuit “is no substitute for the sort of comprehensive immigration reform that can only come from Congress,” but sends a “necessary message that the rule of law and basic notions of fairness still matter in this country. We urge Congress to immediately pass the Dream Act, ensuring that these young people can plan for their future here in the United States.”