SC drops threat to sue federal government over DACA

South Carolina has stepped away from its threat to sue the federal government for its handling of the Obama-era initiative that shielded young undocumented immigrations from deportation.

In a statement, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson lauded the announcement from President Donald Trump’s office to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said there would be an unspecified “wind down period” meant to give Congress time to come up with a potential replacement for the program.

“This is a victory for the rule of law and the Constitution,” Wilson said. “The Constitution gives the power to pass laws to Congress not the president. Now, Congress can consider how best to address this issue.”

South Carolina was among 10 states that promised to sue the Trump Administration if it did not cancel DACA. The deadline to rescind the program the states provided was Tuesday.

Because of Wilson’s promise, he was met with demonstrators during the Chapin Labor Day Parade on Monday. The demonstrators stepped onto the roadway, waved signs and repeatedly chanted, “Defend DACA.”

Trump’s decision will affect more than 750,000 young people who have obtained work permits through DACA to either study or hold a job. The permits last two years and were renewable. Under Trump’s new plan, once a Dreamer’s work permit expires, that person will be eligible for deportation, effectively phasing out the program by 2019.

This story was originally published September 5, 2017 at 2:08 PM with the headline "SC drops threat to sue federal government over DACA."