San Diego, CA- Today, The Supreme Court of the United States in a 4-4 tie was not able to come to a decision on President Obama's 2014 deferred action initiatives delaying the ability to keep families together. Deferred Action for Parents of American and Lawful Permanent residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The actions would have provided immigration relief to an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants nationwide and more than 100,000 in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
The 4-4 split means that the two new programs President Obama announced in 2014, DAPA and expanded DACA (DACA+), are still on hold. This means that another case winding its way up to the Supreme Court could challenge the Fifth Circuit decision. The United States v. Texas case will now be sent back to the Texas district court to determine whether the programs are constitutional.
The 2012 version of DACA is still in effect offering relief from deportation to immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and helping them become better integrated in our communities and we must continue to educate our communities on other existing programs they might be qualified for.
- What is expanded DAPA and DACA (DACA+)? Visit ReadyNowSanDiego.org to learn more about these programs, how they benefit immigrants, eligibility requirements, and how to get ready to apply.
- Get help: Get information on upcoming workshops and clinics to get help with immigration issues including DACA.
Christian Ramirez, Human Rights Director at Alliance San Diego says the following:
"We are disappointed by today's decision from the Supreme Court. Despite this temporary setback, immigrant families are not deterred, we will continue to work to urge policy makers in Washington, DC to get work and fix our inhumane immigration system. It is evident that the unwillingness of Congress to do it's job has caused gridlock in the judicial branch, we will remember this on election day."
Background: Expanded DACA (DACA+) and DAPA will provide relief from deportation and help keep San Diego families together. Both San Diego and Imperial Counties have more than 100,000 individuals who are potentially eligible for these programs. Local leaders have already spoken in support of expanded DACA (DACA+) and DAPA and highlighted the ways our communities will benefit from them -- last year, the cities of Chula Vista, Lemon Grove and San Diego unanimously passed resolutions in favor of these programs.
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