The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to take up the Obama administration’s proposed new immigration plan that could shield more than four million people from deportation.
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Due to the sheer number of immigrants involved and the fact that the executive orders went against the wishes of Congress, it is hard to predict how the Supreme Court might rule, said lawyer Muzaffar Chishti, director of the Migration Policy Institute office at New York University.
The program, known as Deferred Action for Parental Accountability, or DAPA, would allow almost 4.3 million immigrant parents of USA citizens and permanent residents to register with the government and begin working legally without the threat of deportation.
“In deciding to hear this case, the Supreme Court recognizes the importance of the separation of powers. We’re hopeful that the Supreme Court will soon affirm, as the settled law of the land, that President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration is lawful, and that immigrant parents and children across the country are respected and protected”, de Blasio said in a statement.
However, the program has been blocked by those that believe the president abused his power by sidestepping Congress. A coalition of 26 states filed a lawsuit against the president’s action, and a preliminary injunction halted the program pending the legal case.
A key element in his plan is an expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, offering migrants a three-year deportation reprieve and temporary work permits.
Obama said he was spurred to act on his own by Congress’ failure to pass comprehensive immigration legislation.
The future of immigration has been hanging in the balance since the state of Texas challenged Obama’s executive actions following the 2014 midterm elections. It was make them eligible to lawfully work and qualify them for health care and retirement benefits.
The case – United States v. Texas – will be argued in April, and we can expect a ruling by June.
With some of his major legislative initiatives suffocated by Republican lawmakers, the Democratic president has resorted to executive action to get around Congress on issues including immigration, gun control and the Obamacare healthcare law.
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Texas claims it’ll need to pay millions of dollars to offer individuals that are a part of the programme with driver’s licences. “It suggests that the court is willing to engage President Obama’s entire use of executive orders”, said Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the nonpartisan National Constitution Center. Such a development could boost turnout of a frustrated Hispanic electorate, who largely support the Democrats.
