He made immigration reform a key initiative for his second term.
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“It’s an issue that’s right for a decision from the Supreme Court”, Immigration Attorney Magnolia Zarraga said. The decision by Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr.to file the governments petition Friday starts a process that would allow the court, absent any delays, to do just that.
That decision, unless reversed, “will force millions of people…to continue to work off the books, without the option of lawful employment to provide for their families”, he said. It has been halted by a federal appeals court, and its fate will soon rest with the Supreme Court.
“Finally, President Obama’s lawless refusal to enforce the law is meeting its match in the courts”, she said. Under normal circumstances, if the justices are to hear the issue this term, briefing must be completed by mid-winter. A few Democrats briefed on the refugee screening process by Obama’s chief of staff and Homeland Security secretary emerged far from impressed, leading to Thursday’s 289-137 vote to undermine the president’s program.
After an immigration reform bill died in Congress, Obama last November announced up to 5 million illegal immigrants would be eligible for deportation reprieves and work permits if they met certain conditions.
As President Obama tries to save his plan to shield a few five million people from deportation, immigration activists have been marching and planning more demonstrations to support him. The court had agreed to hear the “appeal on an expedited basis” in March while oral arguments were conducted on July 10. The appeals court affirmed that ruling and added a broader one.
“Our community is strong and ready to hold people accountable and fight for relief”.
The president’s proposal was challenged in court by a group of state governors, who said he was overstepping his legal authority and unduly burdening states. The Department of Justice filed an appeal on Friday asking the Supreme Court to let the program move forward.
Time is critical if the Supreme Court is to review the matter while the Obama administration remains in office.
Texas and 25 other states sued the federal government shortly after the announcement, and a district judge in Brownsville sided with them, issuing a preliminary injunction against DAPA and the DACA expansion. Judge Hanen reasoned that the administration did not “comply” with Administrative Procedures Act’s “requirements”.
“We are very pleased that the Department of Justice is moving quickly on this”.
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Among the protesters were many immigrants affected by Obama’s actions, which protect qualified parents of US-born children and undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children or teens.
