Federal district court judge to hear Texas case on DACA

A federal district court judge will hear a Texas case on the lawfulness of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program which provides protective status and work permits to undocumented immigrants.

Federal District Judge Andrew Hanen will hear the case Wednesday.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the lawsuit back May.

Paxton and attorneys general from six other states are seeking a halt to DACA, arguing the program is unconstitutional and causes financial harm due to healthcare, education and law enforcement costs. Texas used the same argument to successfully halt 2014’s Deferred Action for Parents of American and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA, program.

However, legal experts believe the state’s argument will not be as successful this time around.Thomas Saenz, president and legal counsel for Mexican Americans Legal Defense and Educational Fund, told the Texas Tribune there is no speculation about how the program will be implemented; something that could not be said about DAPA. MALDEF is arguing against Texas in the case.

If Hanen decides in favor of Texas, the case will likely make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Former President Barack Obama signed an executive order enacting DACA in 2012.