WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) expressed its deep disappointment with the Supreme Court’s 4–4 decision in United States v. Texas, a move that affirms the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision and blocks the implementation of the Obama administration’s DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) program as well as an expanded DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). The move ignores decades of legal precedent and disregards the previous uses of discretionary powers by presidents—leaving millions of American families in immigration limbo.
Historically, presidents have been able to use their discretionary powers for an extensively wide range of reasons, including the ability to protect various groups from deportation as well as setting priorities when it comes to immigration enforcement.
“The court’s decision fails to recognize that the president was well within his legal authority to provide relief for millions of families, and that these actions would provide critical social and economic benefits to our country,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía. “We are disappointed and heartbroken at this disheartening moment for families who are part of our American fabric and contribute so much to our nation. Not only does it dash the hopes of individuals, but it keeps our country from reaping the rewards of the social and economic contributions these policies encourage. Our community remains steadfast in our commitment to keeping hardworking families together and we will keep fighting for a permanent solution.”
In Texas, where this lawsuit originated, there are more than 1 million U.S.-citizen children and family members who live in the same household as someone who would have been able to apply for a reprieve from deportation had the Supreme Court reached a different decision.
“We have seen the dysfunction and paralysis in Congress and now, unfortunately, it has been extended to the Supreme Court. It should not be lost on anyone that a key function of the president is to nominate federal judges, and for the Senate to advise and consent to those nominations. We will continue to remind our community that, by exercising their power at the ballot box this election, they can help determine who will be making judicial decisions that, with the stroke of a pen, can take potential lawful status away from millions of people,” Murguía concluded.
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.