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Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the district court’s preliminary injunction in Texas, et al. v. United States, enjoining President Obama’s immigration executive action initiatives, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Today, the Department of Justice said it would appeal that ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jennie Pasquarella, Director of Immigrants’ Rights for the ACLU of California, issued the following statement:
“California stands to lose more than any other state from yesterday’s unfortunate decision. More than 1 million parents in California would benefit from DAPA. And an estimated 92,000 young adults in California would benefit from expanded DACA. DAPA and expanded DACA would reportedly lift more than 40,000 California children out of poverty, and make an estimated 1.1. million California parents, young adults, and children eligible for state-funded health insurance.
This decision serves only to perpetuate an underclass in our society – where families live under the constant stress and unrelenting fear of deportation and where parents and children are denied basic rights and privileges simply because a member of their family lacks immigration status. With Congress abandoning any prospect of immigration reform, DAPA and DACA are a critical reprieve that will allow families to come out of the shadows and lift up out of poverty. This is not the last chapter of this struggle to keep California families together. We look forward to review by the U.S. Supreme Court and to continue to work with our partners to advance and protect immigrant rights.”
