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Supreme Court deadlock on immigration will have far-reaching implications

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s deadlocked decision on President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration, will begin airing its first Spanish-language ad of the general election this week, the campaign said Friday. Because the high court couldn’t agree, a lower court’s ruling blocking his executive actions remains in place, putting an indefinite freeze on what the White House had hoped would be the heart of the Obama’s legacy on immigration. “But I am feeling very sad”. “The only thing I know is we’re going to keep fighting”, she said.

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Underscoring the significance of the ruling, a “disappointed” Obama himself went to the White House briefing room to repudiate it, saying that the court could not decide because it was not at its full strength of nine justices. A Republican National Committee “autopsy” report after Romney’s defeat said it was essential for the party to broaden its appeal to Hispanic voters by embracing immigration reform.

In November 2014, Obama proposed Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA, and he expanded the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, to effectively shield up to 4 million immigrants.

The 4-4 decision delivers a win to states challenging the President’s plan to give a deportation reprieve to roughly four-million illegal immigrants.

In the wake of the ruling, grassroots advocates and families promised to fight for immigrant rights and broader immigration reform. I am proud that Georgia joined a majority of states to stand up against President Obama’s unconstitutional executive amnesty.

“My life would have changed if the vote had been favorable”, she said through a translator during a rally outside the Supreme Court. In a veiled critique of GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump and his calls for a border wall, Obama said the US needn’t “wall ourselves off” from those who look different.

“I think that might be the only silver lining in this ruling”, Mendiaz-Rivera said.

“It is my firm belief that immigration is not something to fear”, Obama said.

Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland in March to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died suddenly in February. The decision indicates that any major immigration policy change that would address the long-term situation of the estimated 11 million people in the country illegally would have to be enacted by Congress.

The Republican-controlled Senate has refused to hold hearings on Garland, stating a desire to wait until after the November election to allow the next president to pick a nominee. “With only eight justices, the Supreme Court will continue to tie on important cases, leaving legal questions unanswered and perpetuating uncertainty in federal law”.

“This is about children in this city who can’t sleep at night because they are afraid they will be separated from their families”, said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.

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State Attorney General Bob Ferguson said there are more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants in Washington and if they were allowed to work legally, they could add almost $60 million in tax revenue over the next five years. “Double down on making sure they vote”, she said.

Ela Tinoco speaks at news conference at federal courthouse in Seattle on Thursday June 23