In a statement attributed to American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) President Gary LeRoy, MD, of Dayton, OH, the AAFP welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision on June 18 preserving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
“The AAFP welcomes today’s Supreme Court decision preserving DACA.
“Today’s decision averted a course of action that could have threatened our health care system by uprooting some 27,000 health care workers and 200 medical students, medical residents, and physicians who are likeliest to work in rural settings and poor neighborhoods.
“The preservation of DACA ensures that those medical students, medical residents, and physicians protected under the program can complete their medical education and residency training and contribute to caring for our nation’s population during a time when health care is of utmost importance.
“Most important, this decision brings welcome relief to thousands of DACA beneficiaries who have long wrestled with the uncertainty of whether they would be able to stay in the country they lawfully call home.”