The University System of Georgia Board of Regents [official website] on Friday appealed [notice of appeal] a ruling [opinion, PDF] that gives in-state tuition to undocumented individuals who received protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) [official website]. The board of regents also filed a motion [text, PDF] to stay the judge’s ruling until the appeal is decided. DACA gives undocumented individuals, sometimes called “dreamers,” legal status to remain inside the US without fear of deportation by issuing visas and work permits. At issue in the case is whether DACA gives dreamers “legally present” status that is mandated by law. The plaintiffs’ lawyer has filed responses [press release] opposing the motions and requesting that the board immediately begin allowing the students to pay in-state tuition.

The DACA program and other immigration concerns continue to create domestic legal issues. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel delivered a letter [JURIST report] to US President-elect Donald Trump in December signed by many US mayors warning of the potential economic losses Trump could cause if he repeals DACA. Several conservation groups in October filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accusing the agency of violating environmental law by neglecting the effects of unregulated immigration.