Key Takeaways:
- A civil rights group filed a lawsuit alleging housing discrimination against a DACA recipient by Altman Management Co.
- The lawsuit argues De Guzman’s rental applications were unfairly rejected for lacking a permanent resident card, documents DACA recipients don’t have.
- The case highlights ongoing issues of discrimination and could set significant precedents for DACA recipients’ housing rights and economic contributions.
Why Is a Civil Rights Group Filing a Lawsuit for Housing Discrimination Against a DACA Recipient?
A significant lawsuit has been filed, alleging housing discrimination against a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. This legal action highlights an ongoing issue in the United States and has compelled many to examine the rights of DACA recipients and how they are treated in the housing market.
What Is the Basis of the Lawsuit?
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed the lawsuit on behalf of Khrysta De Guzman. For the past eight years, De Guzman has been a beneficiary of the DACA program, which grants undocumented young adults who arrived in the U.S. as children the authorization to work and study without fear of deportation. Nearly 580,000 individuals, most of them Latino, hold DACA status.
According to Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF’s President and General Counsel, “Housing discrimination against DACA recipients is not only irrational, it is unlawful. Our economy — and our humanity — are distorted and diminished when we allow such discrimination to occur.”
How Did the Alleged Discrimination Occur?
De Guzman and her U.S. citizen fiancé applied to rent an apartment managed by Altman Management Co. in New Jersey last year. Despite having the necessary government-issued employment authorization card, their application was denied. The property management company insisted that De Guzman provide a permanent resident card or visa—documents that DACA recipients do not possess.
Attempting to find a home closer to her school to reduce her one-hour commute, the couple applied for another apartment managed by the same company, only to face the same rejection. They received a call from a leasing consultant informing them that their application was denied because “De Guzman did not provide additional documentation requested by Altman Management,” according to the lawsuit.
Why Is This Case Signficant?
De Guzman expressed the emotional and practical toll this discrimination has taken on her life, stating: “These denials have resulted in another frozen chapter of my life. It serves to remind us DACA holders that we aren’t fully accepted by U.S. society. Despite working, paying taxes, and contributing to the economy.”
DACA recipients have indeed made substantial contributions to the U.S. economy. According to the immigration advocacy group FWD.us, these individuals have contributed $108 billion to the economy and $33 billion in combined taxes since the program’s start in 2012.
What Are the Legal Implications?
MALDEF attorneys are calling for class certification to represent others who may have faced similar discrimination by Altman Management. Luis Lozada, a MALDEF attorney on the case, emphasized, “Landlords cannot penalize renters because of their alienage. Defendants’ discriminatory acts adversely affect DACA recipients and immigrants where they can live and work.”
Court records do not yet show an attorney for Altman Management Co., and the company has not responded to requests for comments. However, this case, if successful, could set a significant precedent for housing rights for DACA recipients across the country.
Why Should You Care About This Case?
The outcome of this lawsuit could influence policies that affect where DACA recipients and other immigrants can live and work. According to VisaVerge.com, protecting the rights of these individuals is essential for ensuring a fair and inclusive society.
For more information about immigrant rights and housing discrimination, you can visit the official U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
By bringing attention to these legal battles, the hope is to drive meaningful change that prevents such discriminatory practices and embraces the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration-Related Terms
- DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
A U.S. immigration policy that allows undocumented individuals who arrived as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit. - MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)
A national non-profit civil rights organization that uses litigation, advocacy, and education to protect and promote the rights of Latinos in the United States. - Housing Discrimination
The unlawful practice of denying or restricting housing opportunities based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. In this context, it includes discrimination against DACA recipients. - Alienage
The status of being a foreign-born resident who is not a naturalized citizen. Discrimination based on alienage refers to unjust treatment of persons due to their non-citizen status. - Class Certification
A legal process by which a court approves a lawsuit to proceed as a class action, allowing one or several individuals to represent a larger group with similar injuries or grievances in a single court action.
This Article In A Nutshell:
A civil rights group filed a lawsuit against Altman Management Co. for allegedly denying housing to a DACA recipient. DACA recipients like Khrysta De Guzman face discrimination despite having legal work authorization. The lawsuit aims to address and rectify such prejudicial practices to ensure fair housing rights.
— By VisaVerge.com
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– Sample DACA Advance Parole Letter Examples
– DACA Travel Authorization: How to Apply for Advance Parole and I-131 Travel Document
