WASHINGTON, DC (PR) – The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) denounces yesterday’s decision by the federal district court in Brownsville, Texas granting a preliminary injunction in Texas v. United States, the 26-state challenge to the president’s administrative reforms of immigration policy. This preliminary injunction will delay the implementation of the president’s reforms – which include the expansion of deferred action for individuals who came to the United States as children and for parents of citizens and permanent residents – nationwide.
Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of NLIRH has issued the below statement in response:
“As an organization committed to the health and rights of immigrant Latinas and their families, we are deeply disappointed with today’s decision. The preliminary injunction against the president’s immigration reforms will harm immigrant women and families who would benefit from these much-needed immigration protections.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) will save lives, keep families together, and ensure that immigrant women and families can contribute to our nation’s shared prosperity without the constant threat of deportation. These programs are an important step in the right direction – particularly for immigrant women who are the backbones of their families and communities. We are appalled that state governments are pursuing lawsuits to roll back much-needed protections for immigrant women and families, instead of embracing the reforms as good for the health of families, communities, and our nation’s economy.
The states’ contention that the reforms will harm their state governments is false. The reforms are expected to increase our nation’s GDP by $90 billion to $210 billion over 10 years – with significant increases to the GDP of states involved in the lawsuit including Texas and Florida. We know that immigrants, including immigrant women, make tremendous contributions to our communities and nation’s economy. Policies expanding opportunities for immigrant families are not only humane, but also represent smart fiscal and public policy.
The president’s reforms are an important first step forward – but much more is needed from our nation’s lawmakers. Across the country, Latinas are defending the president’s actions and holding their lawmakers accountable by demanding broad-based reforms that ensure fairness and justice in our nation’s immigration laws – including reforms to enable immigrant families to participate in healthcare programs that build healthy families and communities.”
Statement by the Press Secretary on State of Texas v. United States of America
The Supreme Court and Congress have made clear that the federal government can set priorities in enforcing our immigration laws—which is exactly what the President did when he announced commonsense policies to help fix our broken immigration system. Those policies are consistent with the laws passed by Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court, as well as five decades of precedent by presidents of both parties who have used their authority to set priorities in enforcing our immigration laws.
The Department of Justice, legal scholars, immigration experts, and the district court in Washington, D.C. have determined that the President’s actions are well within his legal authority. Top law enforcement officials, along with state and local leaders across the country, have emphasized that these policies will also benefit the economy and help keep communities safe. The district court’s decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect and the Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal that decision.
Don't Panic
By now, you’ve probably heard the news. A Texas judge ruled this week to block the immigration program announced by President Obama at the end of last year.
I know it sounds kind of scary, but many legal experts have said all along said that lawsuit is nothing more than a political stunt by anti-immigrant Attorneys General and Governors.
Sadly, the main goal for Republicans these days is to create uncertainty and scare immigrants and their families away from applying for expanded DACA and DAPA. Thankfully, the Obama Administration has a plan in place to make sure this lawsuit is stopped in its tracks. So the most important thing we can do right now is to remain calm.
The best way our community can fight back against this attack is to stay on track. If you're eligible, continue getting ready for expanded DACA and DAPA and immediately apply when the time comes. And, very importantly, this attack does not affect 2012's DACA or its renewal process. So if you already have DACA and are set to renew, you should do so.
As for the lawsuit, this judge’s decision is just the first step in the legal process. The Obama Administration will appeal, and we believe the courts will ultimately reject this lawsuit because it has absolutely no legal merit.
We win by staying focused. We are confident that millions of immigrants will in the end be able to come forward, register, apply for their work permits, and, mostly importantly, keep their families together.
You can help by forwarding this message to your families and friends and letting them know that nothing is going to stop us from getting ready for DACA and DAPA.
Gabe Ortiz
America’s Voice
National Week of Action
Despite Texas Court ruling, dreamers, immigrants families, advocates rally in several cities.
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