Birthright Citizenship in the U.S.

What’s going on with birthright citizenship in the U.S.? In May 2025, there was oral argument at the Supreme Court on this topic. What was it really about? This explainer comic illustrates this specific point in the litigation.

DACA in the Courts: Part 2

Last fall, I created this little book explaining the litigation surrounding DACA at the time, including most prominently a case before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the attempted rescission of DACA. Here is that little book:

Recently, the Supreme Court decided the case. The administration’s attempt to end DACA was improper and could not stand. Here are some very rough collaged pages that illustrate the very basics of that decision.

DACA in the Courts

For years, members of Congress have been attempting to pass a DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for the group of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. These individuals have grown up in U.S. schools but continue to live outside the system, unable to work or participate legally in the society that raised them. The Obama administration, unable to fully solve this problem without a DREAM Act going forward in Congress, developed a stop-gap response from within the Executive branch. This stop-gap was DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was an official policy decision by the administration to deprioritize enforcement efforts (or “defer action”) on undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children, fit certain criteria, and applied for DACA status. In a sense, receiving DACA status was a way of ensuring that your immigration file would be at the bottom of the pile and set aside for the time being. This little book is about what has happened since the Trump administration announced it planned to end DACA.

This photo shows a hand holding a hand-made picture book called “DACA in the Courts 2019 by Maddy Buck.”

The text on this page says, “The Obama Administration created Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in Summer 2012. The “DACA” letters are emphasized with collaged watercolor paper.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “Those who arrived undocumented before age 16 could apply for DACA, which means temporary relief from deportation and a work permit.’ The illustration shows a mother and children walking from a sand-colored piece of land onto land that looks like an American flag. This is image is in a thought bubble coming from a figure of a girl, as if her memory of crossing the border.

The text on this page says, “September 5, 2017, the Trump administration announced it was ending DACA.” The illustration on this page shows an anthropomorphic White House, with a flag coming out of it, holding a piece of paper that says “DACA” and ripping it.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “People Sued.” The illustration uses collaged watercolor paper and shows a bunch of angry faces holding signs that say, “So much harm, DACA stays, Not fair.” They are standing against the backdrop of the United States.

The text on this page says, “In 2018, two federal district courts decided DACA couldn’t be ended before the case was fully decided. It would be too harmful and possibly illegal.” The illustration shows two figures, one standing in the state of California, the other standing in the state of Maryland, holding a piece of paper that says DACA and that was ripped. They’re holding it together.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “During this limbo period, only renewals of DACA status are allowed. New applicants are out of luck.” The illustration shows a big piece of orange, watercolored paper that says “DACA.” It’s been taped back together. A smaller paper that says “renewals only” is taped onto it.

The text on this page says, “In June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to merge 3 of these cases and consider 2 questions: Is the end-DACA decision legal? Can we weigh in on the End-DACA decision? On November 12, 2019, both sides will explain their arguments to the court.” The illustration shows the U.S. Supreme Court thinking the two proposed questions. Each justice’s robe is a different color o the rainbow.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “The court will spend the winter negotiating and writing, trying to get 5 votes in favor of some answer.” The illustration shows 5 hands raised in the air. Each arm is a different color of watercolor paper, collaged in place.

The text on this page says, “In June (probably) they will give some answer. It may be a clear answer: DACA “ok or DACA not ok. It may be ‘not up to us!’ or some other nuanced response. The illustration here is minimal, just shows the ripped up DACA paper and a justice hiding behind his hands.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “Meanwhile…there’s another big DACA case out there.” The illustratiofshows a bunch of “red” states with arms and legs holding up “No DACA” signs.

The text on this page of the picture book says, “In 2019, some states sued the U.S. government, claiming DACA’s creation in 2012 was illegal. The court in Texas hasn’t decided that case yet. It’s probably waiting for the Supreme Court to decide the other case.” The illustration shows a person sitting on their couch, watching tv, waiting for the SCOTUS opinion.

The text on this page of the explainer picture book says, “The future of DACA is uncertain. Until Congress agrees to pass a Dream Act (a path to citizenship of the many many many who arrived her undocumented as kids), DACA is a crucial stopgap.” The illustration shows a seat that has the pattern of the American flag on it. In it are a bunch of people with their hands outstretched towards the enormous life raft floating near them.