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Published: Sep 05, 2017 7 min read

Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirmed reports that the administration is rescinding DACA, putting nearly 800,000 immigrants who came to the U.S. as children or teenagers at risk of deportation. The program will expire in six months, giving Congress an opportunity to find a replacement program, Sessions said in a press conference.

President Trump's reported statements on the issue have been mixed. Speaking from the Oval Office last week, the president called the policy “a very, very difficult subject for me." But he has apparently been convinced into action by more conservative members of his party and other elected officials.

The decision comes at the heels of a June letter from ten attorneys general, and one governor, who vowed to sue unless the Trump administration slashes the program.

Led by Texas AG Ken Paxton, the group urged the administration to revoke DACA by Sept. 5 (today). Writing in Fox News last month, Paxton called Obama's unilateral decision to offer deportation protection for immigrants who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 “unconstitutional,” and doubled down on his promise to challenge it in court.

On Friday, Tennessee attorney general Herbert Slatery backed out of the group.

“Many of the DACA recipients, some of whose records I reviewed, have outstanding accomplishments and laudable ambitions, which if achieved, will be of great benefit and service to our country," he wrote in a letter.

Here are the ten people still leading the charge:

Steve Marshall – Alabama

Attorney General Steve Marshall sits for a portrait in Montgomery, Ala on Feb. 9, 2017.
Brynn Anderson—AP

Attorney General since: 2017

Law Degree: University of Alabama School of Law

Recent thoughts on immigration: Argued sanctuary cities “prohibit or impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws, not only defy the rule of law but also hinder the ability of Law Enforcement to effectively protect the public. Such cities also pose harm to other areas by providing a refuge for criminal illegal aliens who commit crimes out of state.”

Also, included Alabama as one of 15 states that supported President Trump’s travel ban.


Leslie Rutledge – Arkansas

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge speaks to media at Trump Tower in New York on Nov. 17, 2016.
Carolyn Kaster—AP

Attorney General since: 2015

Law Degree: University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Recent thoughts on DACA: “DACA is an unlawful program that must be phased out. I am not asking the government to remove any person currently covered by DACA or for the Administration to rescind DACA permits that have already been issued – this is about upholding the rule of law. Even former President Obama acknowledged many times that he did not have authority to unilaterally grant this type of legal status to over one million aliens.”

 


Lawrence G. Wasden – Idaho

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden speaks about the investigation into the sexual assault of a disabled black football player by his white teammates at a small-town Idaho high school on March 1, 2017, in Boise.
Darin Oswald—Idaho Statesman/AP

Attorney General since: 2003

Law Degree: University of Idaho

Recent thoughts on DACA: "This is part of my office’s ongoing efforts to encourage the federal government to respect the separation of powers. These directives were the equivalent of legislating by executive order. My signature on this letter is not about targeting immigrant families. Rather, it is consistent with my objection to legislative executive orders as well as encouragement to Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and address these pressing issues.”

 


Derek Schmidt – Kansas

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt talks to lawmakers at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan on Jan. 23, 2015.
Thad Allton—The Topeka Capital-Journal/AP

Attorney General since: 2010

Law Degree: Georgetown University

Recent thoughts on DACA: “The problem with DACA is that it is unlawful; under our Constitution, only Congress, not the President, has the power to change immigration law. Those who understandably feel strongly that the law should accommodate children brought to the U.S. at a young age and raised here would be well-advised to focus on persuading Congress to act.”


Jeff Landry — Louisiana

U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-La., speaks at the Freedom Summit, Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Greenville, S.C.
Rainier Ehrhardt—AP

Attorney General since: 2016

Law Degree: Loyola University New Orleans

Recent thoughts on DACA:“This executive amnesty was another example of the Obama Administration bypassing Congress to advance its radical agenda.”


Doug Peterson — Nebraska

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson speaks at a news conference in Lincoln, Neb., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015.
Nati Harnik—AP

Attorney General since: 2015

Law Degree: Pepperdine University

Recent thoughts on DACA: “The topic of immigration, particularly the DACA program, evokes strong feelings on both sides of the issue. Persons of goodwill may disagree on the direction of immigration policy. The Constitution provides, however, that the appropriate venue for determining policy direction lies with the legislative branch and not the president acting via executive order.”


Alan Wilson —South Carolina

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks to the crowd at a Conservative Leadership Project presidential forum, with Republican candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Columbia, S.C.
Sean Rayford—AP

Attorney General since: 2011

Law Degree: Columbia

Recent thoughts on DACA: "I don't think anybody believes that a child who has been brought here at the age of six months old and is now graduating high school with a full ride or a scholarship to some school and doesn't even speak Spanish should be dropped across the border. I don't think that is the intent of anyone here. I think what most of my colleagues felt was the rule of law has to mean something. And if there's a right way to do this, it is do it through Congress, and allow Congress to pass a law and to make those accommodations under federal law and let the executive branch enforce that."


Ken Paxton — Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during a hearing in Austin, Texas on July, 29, 2015.
Eric Gay—AP

Attorney General since: 2015

Law Degree: University of Virginia

Recent thoughts on DACA: “Last year, when a Texas-led lawsuit of 26 states culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court blocking President Obama’s unlawful deferred-action policies, including DAPA, then-candidate Trump was completely correct when he said that the Court “blocked one of the most unconstitutional actions ever undertaken by a President.”

 


Patrick Morrisey — West Virginia

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey attends an event in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., on July 10, 2017, where he announced he will run for the Senate in 2018.
Tom Williams—AP

Attorney General since: 2013

Law Degree: Rutgers University, Newark

Recent thoughts on DACA: “I applaud President Trump for having the courage of his convictions to uphold the rule of law and stop this Obama-era program. DACA was unconstitutional and represented an unlawful, unilateral action by the Obama administration,” Morrisey said. “Changes in law must be made through the legislative process. We will always stand up and defend the rule of law and our Constitution."


C.L. “Butch” Otter — Idaho

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter delivers his State of the State address inside the house chambers at the state Capitol building Jan. 9, 2017 in Boise, Idaho.
Otto Kitsinger—AP

Governor since: 2007

Education: Saint Martin’s University; Boise State University; College of Idaho

Recent thoughts on immigration: Agrees with Trump that persecuted Christians should get priority over other religious groups in the U.S. refugee program. When asked if Muslims are also persecuted, Otter said: “Probably. I don’t know that, but I do know that the Christians are.”