The Friends Committee on National Legislation stands in solidarity with millions of immigrant families left in excruciating limbo following the Supreme Court of the United States split 4-4 decision today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Graf Evans
hannah@fcnl.org / 202-903-2537
Washington, D.C. - The Friends Committee on National Legislation stands in solidarity with millions of immigrant families left in excruciating limbo following the Supreme Court of the United States split 4-4 decision today. The Supreme Court’s failure to reach a conclusive decision de facto halts the implementation of common sense programs that would have provided temporary work permits and relief for families from deportation.
DACA+/DAPA should have remained first and foremost about temporary relief for people, not about partisan politics.
The expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA+) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs should have remained first and foremost about temporary relief for people, not about partisan politics. Every U.S. president since 1956 has enacted temporary relief for immigrants through executive action, usually quickly followed by a bill in Congress that codifies the action. We continue to urge Congress to pursue lasting, just solutions for immigrant communities – both eligible and ineligible for DACA+/DAPA – who remain caught in a broken immigration system.
As evidenced by today’s decision, the Supreme Court cannot fully do its job without a ninth Supreme Court Justice. Congress must hold hearings and a confirmation vote on President Obama’s nominee. The seat must be filled expeditiously, so no more decisions from the Supreme Court are left inconclusive.
Hannah Graf Evans, lead lobbyist on Immigration at FCNL, made the following statement:
Immigrant families need lasting relief from the threat of separation through detention and deportation.
“In the wake of this devastating, inconclusive decision, we hold immigrant families in the Light as they find renewed strength in community to keep working towards lasting relief. We are with you. FCNL will continue our pursuit of congressional and executive action on immigration policies. We call on Congress to come together and find lasting solutions for our nation and our communities. Immigrant families need lasting relief from the threat of separation through detention and deportation. As a faith organization guided by Quakers, we call for reform that will help recognize and integrate immigrants as full contributors to our economy and participants in our communities.”
