U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on President Obama's Executive Actions on Immigration

April 18, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The implementation of these programs was initially blocked by a federal judge in Texas and later a federal appeals court upheld the preliminary injunction.

As a result, millions of undocumented immigrants who qualified under DAPA or expanded DACA have been denied the opportunity to receive temporary relief from deportation and to apply for work authorization.

“Today, we urge the Supreme Court to put partisan politics aside and follow previous court precedent by reaffirming the President’s executive authority to determine the Federal government’s immigration enforcement priorities,” said LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “There is no question that the proper legal ruling in this case is to lift the lower court’s stay and allow as many as 5 million immigrants to apply for work permits and temporary reprieves from deportation through the DAPA and expanded DACA executive orders issued by the President in 2014. At stake today is the livelihood and dignity of immigrants across this country.”

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.