Hispanic Leadership Agenda: Fifth Circuit Court 'Heartless' For Blocking Obama's DAPA, DACA
The coalition of 40 national and regional Latino organizations has expressed their disappointment with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to block immigration executive action.
Obama's immigration executive action included the introduction of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) and expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs. The president's DAPA and DACA expansion would have granted approximately 4.9 million eligible undocumented immigrants to temporarily avoid deportation for three-renewable years pending requirements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"The Fifth Circuit Court's decision heartlessly delays implementation of the President's common-sense administrative actions that would allow millions of individuals to come out of the shadows, apply for work authorization, pay taxes, and -- most importantly -- remain united with their families," said Hector Sanchez, chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA).
Sanchez said the immigration executive action is a "necessity" due to the congressional gridlock on immigration reform and new Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., confirming not to allow the topic for debate -- due to not trusting Obama. Previously, Obama has said the immigration executive actions were made due to the lack of congressional action on immigration reform. Obama said on numerous occasions that he will withdraw the deferred action programs once Congress passes a reform bill. In November 2014, Obama said, "[The] best way if folks are serious about getting immigration reform done is going ahead and passing a bill and getting it to my desk. And then the executive actions that I take go away."
With the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to review the decision to the Supreme Court.
"The Obama Administration is right to swiftly to appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court so that it can be overturned and justice can be served for immigrant families across the nation," added Sanchez.
According to Hispanic Federation President Jose Calderon, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' 2-1 decision to continue the temporary injunction is simply due to Obama's inclusion.
"There is a long history of executive actions on immigration, a fact validated and well-established by both Republican and Democratic former presidents. This is not a decision based on the rule of law and precedent, instead it is one based on the bias of two judges who disagree with the pro-immigrant policies inherent in Obama's executive action," said Calderon.
"Our community and nation deserves better and we look forward to justice being done when the U.S. Supreme Court reviews this case."
The lawsuit was first created by then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. His lawsuit has since attracted support from 25 U.S. states, all agreeing that Obama overreached his executive authority and claimed negative financial impacts would occur with DAPA and DACA's expansion.
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