AILA: 5th Circuit Again Treads Disappointing but Not Surprising Path
| CONTACTS: | |
|---|---|
| George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org |
Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org |
Washington, DC - Victor Nieblas Pradis, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), responded to yesterday's 5th Circuit decision with the following statement:
"Once again, a Fifth Circuit panel sided with Texas and other states in a politically motivated lawsuit to challenge President Obama's authority to exercise his constitutionally granted executive power to provide a reprieve from deportation for certain parents of American children and to expand the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Though this decision is disappointing, it isn't the last word.
"People need to remember that President Obama's actions have not yet been weighed by the ultimate judicial authority in this country-the Supreme Court. Upholding a finding of standing based largely on the paltry rationale posited by the state of Texas, that driver's licenses cost money to issue, as this panel did, is a bad reading of the law. Yet again a court is putting politics ahead of the lives of millions who should be free from fear but instead are still caught in limbo.
"These programs are not only legally justified, they will deliver justice. As this case drags on, wasting more time and government resources, I still hold firm to the faith that this will end justly with the full implementation of expanded DACA and DAPA. The sad truth is that so many will continue to suffer for no good reason until that day, or the day when Congress finally responds to what overwhelming numbers of Americans want and passes comprehensive immigration reform."
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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.