FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2016
Contacts
Kemi Bello, kbello@ilrc.org, (415) 321-8568
Millions of Immigrant Families Left Out By U.S. Supreme Court Split Decision
The ILRC Remains Committed to Working Alongside Immigrant Community
SAN FRANCISCO, CA— We are deeply disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court’s unfavorable split decision today in the U.S. vs. Texas case.
This morning’s ruling means that the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs, initially announced in November 2014 by President Obama, will continue to remain on hold.
Building on the accomplishments of the original Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program announced in June 2012, which has seen over 700,000 successful applicants, expanded DACA and DAPA would have enabled over 5 million eligible immigrants to receive temporary protections from deportation and the legal authority to work in the U.S. The implementation of these programs would have been a monumental step towards protection and inclusion for countless immigrants and their families across the nation, a step very much in line with this country’s values.
“The impact of today’s ruling is not to be understated; the lack of any meaningful administrative or legislative mechanism to address the many challenges of the U.S. immigration system threatens to continue to separate countless families, including those with U.S. citizen children.
Nevertheless, the ILRC remains committed to working alongside the immigrant community to fight against policies that target undocumented immigrants and facilitate the separation of families, and to fight for an overhaul of our broken immigration system,” said Sally Kinoshita, Deputy Director at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
We urge immigrants who are able to do so to make their voices heard within the democratic process by voting in support of issues that are of importance to them. Greater civic participation serves to guarantee a richer, more inclusive future for all Americans. Through the work of our New Americans Campaign, we will continue to work to help the estimated 8.8 million lawful permanent residents eligible to become U.S. citizens naturalize. We hope the next session of Congress will take the initiative to pass pro-immigrant measures, and we look to the next administration to act within its bounds to ensure that the 11 million undocumented immigrants are afforded an opportunity to fully participate in our society.
We also strongly encourage all immigrants to seek screening for any possible immigration benefits, including the original DACA program not affected by today’s ruling, from qualified, legitimate immigration providers.Though today’s decision is an unfortunate setback, the tireless advocacy and organizing of immigrant communities and allies continues.