Dozens of city and county officials have joined the call for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the lawsuit blocking President Barack Obama's immigration executive actions.

The Cities United For Immigration Action (CUIA) organization, which represents state and local elected officials urging for the implementation of immigration reform, filed a friend-of-the-court brief to the Supreme Court, calling for the review of the Texas vs. United States lawsuit that has blocked Obama's Nov. 20, 2014, deferred actions programs. The Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program and an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was introduced last year, but officials in Texas and 25 other states have sought to stop the deferred action programs, citing that the president breached his executive privileges and negative economic effects to the states. If DAPA and DACA were in effect, approximately 4.9 million eligible undocumented immigrants would receive temporary three-year permits to stay in the U.S.

"We are urging the Supreme Court to review this case so implementation of the President's executive actions can finally move forward, because the wheels of justice have been stuck in neutral for thousands of families for far too long," said Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City, home to millions of immigrants and where an estimated $100,000 additional funds -- through increased state tax revenue -- is reportedly lost. "Cities are where immigrants live, and it is our residents, communities, and economies that will reap the benefits from these policies. Cities are united, and we will fight for immigration reform in the courtroom, in Congress, and in our communities. As this legal challenge continues, our voices will be heard."

The CUIA's brief claims the current temporary injunction on DAPA and DACA's expansion have placed millions of mixed-status U.S. families to live in fear of deportation and separation, which may result in health and emotional effects.

"Mayors across the country are asking the Supreme Court to review the decision in United States v. Texas because we have a special understanding of how generations of immigrants have contributed to the foundation of our cities and the strength of our nation," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in a statement. "Partisan politics should not stand in the way of doing what is right for families who simply want to stay together. These are true American values, and it is our obligation to do all we can to preserve and protect family bonds."

The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the Obama administration, had appealed to the Supreme Court to review the case after setbacks in lower courts -- from a trial judge in Brownsville, Texas, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. DAPA and DACA expansion opponents had requested a 30-day extension to the Supreme Court to further prepare the case. The Supreme Court, however, granted an eight-day extension. If the Supreme Court had agreed with the 30-day extension, then a decision in the case could be delayed until 2017. With the eight-day extension, lawyers for Texas and the 25 states have until Dec. 29, to prepare its case. The extension, however, does not signify that the Supreme Court Justices will officially review the case; that will be determined after preliminary filings are submitted.

As Latin Post reported, with the Dec. 28 deadline, the Supreme Court will more likely render a decision on DAPA and DACA's expansion during its current term, which ends in June 2016.

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