NHLA SUPPORTS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND MALDEF BEFORE THE
U.S. SUPREME COURT IN U.S. v. TEXAS
Five million immigrants and their families await relief from deportation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, urged the United States Supreme Court to allow implementation of President Obama’s administrative actions on immigration and overturn the lower court’s rulings in the Texas v. United States case. Today, the Supreme Court heard compelling arguments from the Obama Administration and NHLA Vice Chair Thomas A. Saenz, the President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) - the only non-governmental party in the case - in defense of the President’s executive actions on immigration. The President’s administrative actions will expand the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and establish Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), granting affirmative relief from deportation to nearly five million undocumented immigrants.
“Today’s arguments show that it is time to allow swift implementation of the President’s common-sense administrative actions that would allow millions of individuals to come out of the shadows, apply for work authorization, pay taxes, and – most importantly – remain united with their families. Congress’ failure to act responsibly on immigration reform under a Republican leadership - which refuses to even allow immigration reform to come up for a vote - have made administrative action on immigration a necessity,” said Hector E. Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “The Obama Administration and our colleagues at MALDEF convincingly defended the President’s actions before the U.S. Supreme Court. It is time to provide relief for millions of immigrant families across the nation.”
"The state of Texas has held up the granting of deferred action -- simple relief from the daily threat of detention and removal -- to millions of parents of U.S. citizens for far too long," stated Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA Vice Chair and MALDEF President and General Counsel. "Today's argument was the final step before a decision from the Supreme Court, a decision that should stop this Texas travesty from continuing and permit the President to exercise his constitutional authority to protect these immigrants."
"After many years of waiting for a dysfunctional Congress to pass common sense immigration reform, President Obama provided administrative relief to an estimated 5 million immigrants through DAPA and DACA. The president was well within his authority to do so, and the Supreme Court should affirm his actions. We at the National Hispanic Media Coalition will be monitoring news coverage of this historic case to ensure that the media fairly portray Latinos and immigrants and their invaluable contributions to our economy and our culture. Journalists must call out incendiary rhetoric, fact check untruthful claims and keep their platforms free of hate profiteering on the backs of innocent Latinos who have come to the United States for opportunity and better lives," stated Jessica J. Gonzalez, secretary of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, and executive vice president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
“We urge the Supreme Court to put partisan politics aside and follow precedent and long standing practice by reaffirming the President’s executive authority to determine the Federal government’s immigration enforcement priorities,” said LULAC National Executive Director and NHLA Treasurer Brent Wilkes. “There is no question that the correct legal ruling is to lift the lower court’s stay and allow as many as 5 million immigrants to apply for work permits and temporary reprieves from deportation through the DAPA and expanded DACA executive orders issued by the President in 2014.”
"In light of those who have been the beneficiaries of DACA, which is a reflection of how the lack of avenues for legal immigration status affects people of Latin American origin, particularly Mexicans, it is very proper for MALDEF to be leading the legal defense of DAPA and an expanded DACA," said Oscar Chacon, Executive Director, Alianza Americas. "The leadership of Alianza Americas rests assured that Tom Saenz will effectively represent the views of Mexican, Latin American and other immigrant communities before the U.S. Supreme Court."
“The hearing at the Supreme Court today is a critical event for all Latinos. Finally, the Supreme Court will address the President's authority to take action in the midst of congressional dysfunction, that benefits millions of undocumented immigrants who contribute so much to our country,” stated Ron Blackburn-Moreno, President and CEO, ASPIRA Association.
“The Supreme Court has an opportunity to recognize the President’s authority and willingness to take appropriate action when Congress has proven it is unable to do so. While comprehensive immigration reform is not yet in place, we must remember that this country is a country of immigrants and as such, ensure that we provide dignity and opportunity to all awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in order so that they can further contribute to our country’s future,” stated Patti Tototzintle, Chief Executive Officer, Casa de Esperanza.
“The President’s executive action on immigration would provide modest but vital relief to the nation’s farmworkers and their families. Because our immigration system is broken and Congress has failed to reform it, the majority of farmworkers – the people who labor on farms and ranches – lack authorized immigration status. Farmworker Justice has joined with other organizations to encourage the Supreme Court to recognize the President’s exercise of his lawful authority, to consider the unfairness that has resulted from the lower courts’ ruling, and to allow the Administration to implement the administrative relief from deportation for deserving families,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice.
"The President’s executive actions, measured and in keeping with the spirit of American values, were legal and necessary steps to address the injustices faced by millions of immigrant families across our nation," stated Jose Calderon, President of the Hispanic Federation and Co-chair of NHLA's Immigration Committee. "Hispanic Federation adds its voice to the chorus of Americans calling on the Supreme Court to reject the callous attempt by the State of Texas to undermine the President’s authority and tear away at the fabric of immigrant communities. We are counting on our nation's highest court to uphold justice and allow for the immediate and full implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA."
"Today's oral arguments carry the weight of millions of undocumented immigrants who have toiled for decades in some of the lowest wage and most unsafe jobs in our nation. The opportunity to come out of the shadows, be acknowledged for these sacrifices, with a livable wage and safer conditions, and to keep their family together are at the heart of what is at stake," said Robert Maldonado, Hispanic National Bar Association, National President. "The Hispanic National Bar Association is proud to stand with the values and traditions of our great nation, a nation of immigrants that welcomes all those who are in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The DACA and DAPA programs must be allowed to perform the duties that or Congress refuses to. We must continue to be the guardians of that tradition and not simply ignore the countless millions who contribute to making our nation great."
"After years of waiting for a respite from waves of deportation, on Monday the Supreme Court will finally begin to assess whether the President can assert a modicum of executive power via DAPA / DACA and do right by close to 5 million undocumented residents who contribute mightily to our country's progress. We trust the Court will affirm the power of the President to decide what is best for our economy. And we do so knowing that the voices of our Latino immigrants will be represented by our colleagues at MALDEF. The nation awaits a semblance of rationality in this season of intolerance," said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
“As the Supreme Court hears arguments in this critical case today, the lives of thousands of immigrant families who are contributing to our nation’s economy and communities are hanging in the balance,” stated Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. “NALEO Educational Fund will continue to be there for these families, providing timely and relevant information on the administrative relief programs through our toll-free hotlines. Callers nationwide can dial our DACA/DAPA hotline 844-411-DACA (or 844-31-READY for California residents) to receive free bilingual information on the status of these programs, eligibility requirements, referrals to non-profit legal services providers, fraud prevention and more.”
"U.S. v Texas is a historic case with momentous consequences for our community and our nation. It's an honor that MALDEF will appear before the court today to represent families seeking to stay together," said Janet Murguia, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza.
"The US Supreme Court should allow the President's executive action on immigration to move forward so that families can remain united," National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Executive Director Kenneth Romero said. "President George H. W. Bush took similar executive action, which was well within his authority then as it is now under President Obama. Though DAPA and DACA are no substitutes for comprehensive immigration reform, they correctly prioritize enforcement resources so the government does not persecute hard working individuals who strengthen our economy and have become an integral part of the social fabric that is America. We, therefore, urge the Honorable Justices to decide based on sound legal precedent, smart policy, and common human decency."
“Today, we are inspired by the mothers who are championing our communities, our families and our voices as they stand inside the Court and make their cases heard. 10 million people live under the constant threat and anxiety of deportation every day in mixed-status and undocumented families. Today’s lawsuit is one against children and families who are fighting for salud, dignidad y justicia for themselves and their communities. Our nation is better when we eliminate chaos and uncertainty in our homes and neighborhoods and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is proud to stand with these families,” stated Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
Matt Nelson, Managing Director, Presente.org, stated, "We expect the Supreme Court to see this anti-migrant lawsuit for the hateful sham that it is. From the day President Obama took office, immigrant and Latino communities have fought to win a strong executive order and the progress and dignity that comes with it. The lawsuit before the Supreme Court was filed by stubborn anti-migrant politicians to go before anti-migrant judges—all in an attempt to take this victory and our humanity away from us. No amount of anti-migrant politicians or judges will ever be able to stop millions of us from marching towards our freedom and full humanity.”
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Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and follow @NHLAgenda.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
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American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Cuban American National Council | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | National Alliance of Latin American & Caribbean Communities | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | Presente.org | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.-Mexico Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, urged the United States Supreme Court to allow implementation of President Obama’s administrative actions on immigration and overturn the lower court’s rulings in theTexas v. United States case. Today, the Supreme Court heard compelling arguments from the Obama Administration and NHLA Vice Chair Thomas A. Saenz, the President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) - the only non-governmental party in the case - in defense of the President’s executive actions on immigration. The President’s administrative actions will expand the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and establish Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), granting affirmative relief from deportation to nearly five million undocumented immigrants.
“Today’s arguments show that it is time to allow swift implementation of the President’s common-sense administrative actions that would allow millions of individuals to come out of the shadows, apply for work authorization, pay taxes, and – most importantly – remain united with their families. Congress’ failure to act responsibly on immigration reform under a Republican leadership - which refuses to even allow immigration reform to come up for a vote - have made administrative action on immigration a necessity,” said Hector E. Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “The Obama Administration and our colleagues at MALDEF convincingly defended the President’s actions before the U.S. Supreme Court. It is time to provide relief for millions of immigrant families across the nation.”
"The state of Texas has held up the granting of deferred action -- simple relief from the daily threat of detention and removal -- to millions of parents of U.S. citizens for far too long," stated Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA Vice Chair and MALDEF President and General Counsel. "Today's argument was the final step before a decision from the Supreme Court, a decision that should stop this Texas travesty from continuing and permit the President to exercise his constitutional authority to protect these immigrants."
"After many years of waiting for a dysfunctional Congress to pass common sense immigration reform, President Obama provided administrative relief to an estimated 5 million immigrants through DAPA and DACA. The president was well within his authority to do so, and the Supreme Court should affirm his actions. We at the National Hispanic Media Coalition will be monitoring news coverage of this historic case to ensure that the media fairly portray Latinos and immigrants and their invaluable contributions to our economy and our culture. Journalists must call out incendiary rhetoric, fact check untruthful claims and keep their platforms free of hate profiteering on the backs of innocent Latinos who have come to the United States for opportunity and better lives," stated Jessica J. Gonzalez, secretary of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, and executive vice president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
“We urge the Supreme Court to put partisan politics aside and follow precedent and long standing practice by reaffirming the President’s executive authority to determine the Federal government’s immigration enforcement priorities,” said LULAC National Executive Director and NHLA Treasurer Brent Wilkes. “There is no question that the correct legal ruling is to lift the lower court’s stay and allow as many as 5 million immigrants to apply for work permits and temporary reprieves from deportation through the DAPA and expanded DACA executive orders issued by the President in 2014.”
"In light of those who have been the beneficiaries of DACA, which is a reflection of how the lack of avenues for legal immigration status affects people of Latin American origin, particularly Mexicans, it is very proper for MALDEF to be leading the legal defense of DAPA and an expanded DACA," said Oscar Chacon, Executive Director, Alianza Americas. "The leadership of Alianza Americas rests assured that Tom Saenz will effectively represent the views of Mexican, Latin American and other immigrant communities before the U.S. Supreme Court."
“The hearing at the Supreme Court today is a critical event for all Latinos. Finally, the Supreme Court will address the President's authority to take action in the midst of congressional dysfunction, that benefits millions of undocumented immigrants who contribute so much to our country,” stated Ron Blackburn-Moreno, President and CEO, ASPIRA Association.
“The Supreme Court has an opportunity to recognize the President’s authority and willingness to take appropriate action when Congress has proven it is unable to do so. While comprehensive immigration reform is not yet in place, we must remember that this country is a country of immigrants and as such, ensure that we provide dignity and opportunity to all awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in order so that they can further contribute to our country’s future,” stated Patti Tototzintle, Chief Executive Officer, Casa de Esperanza.
“The President’s executive action on immigration would provide modest but vital relief to the nation’s farmworkers and their families. Because our immigration system is broken and Congress has failed to reform it, the majority of farmworkers – the people who labor on farms and ranches – lack authorized immigration status. Farmworker Justice has joined with other organizations to encourage the Supreme Court to recognize the President’s exercise of his lawful authority, to consider the unfairness that has resulted from the lower courts’ ruling, and to allow the Administration to implement the administrative relief from deportation for deserving families,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice.
"The President’s executive actions, measured and in keeping with the spirit of American values, were legal and necessary steps to address the injustices faced by millions of immigrant families across our nation, stated Jose Calderon, President of the Hispanic Federation and Co-chair of NHLA's Immigration Committee. "Hispanic Federation adds its voice to the chorus of Americans calling on the Supreme Court to reject the callous attempt by the State of Texas to undermine the President’s authority and tear away at the fabric of immigrant communities. We are counting on our nation's highest court to uphold justice and allow for the immediate and full implementation of DAPA and expanded DACA."
"Today's oral arguments carry the weight of millions of undocumented immigrants who have toiled for decades in some of the lowest wage and most unsafe jobs in our nation. The opportunity to come out of the shadows, be acknowledged for these sacrifices, with a livable wage and safer conditions, and to keep their family together are at the heart of what is at stake," said Robert Maldonado, Hispanic National Bar Association, National President. "The Hispanic National Bar Association is proud to stand with the values and traditions of our great nation, a nation of immigrants that welcomes all those who are in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The DACA and DAPA programs must be allowed to perform the duties that or Congress refuses to. We must continue to be the guardians of that tradition and not simply ignore the countless millions who contribute to making our nation great."
"After years of waiting for a respite from waves of deportation, on Monday the Supreme Court will finally begin to assess whether the President can assert a modicum of executive power via DAPA / DACA and do right by close to 5 million undocumented residents who contribute mightily to our country's progress. We trust the Court will affirm the power of the President to decide what is best for our economy. And we do so knowing that the voices of our Latino immigrants will be represented by our colleagues at MALDEF. The nation awaits a semblance of rationality in this season of intolerance," said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
“As the Supreme Court hears arguments in this critical case today, the lives of thousands of immigrant families who are contributing to our nation’s economy and communities are hanging in the balance,” statedArturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. “NALEO Educational Fund will continue to be there for these families, providing timely and relevant information on the administrative relief programs through our toll-free hotlines. Callers nationwide can dial our DACA/DAPA hotline 844-411-DACA (or 844-31-READY for California residents) to receive free bilingual information on the status of these programs, eligibility requirements, referrals to non-profit legal services providers, fraud prevention and more.”
"U.S. v Texas is a historic case with momentous consequences for our community and our nation. It's an honor that MALDEF will appear before the court today to represent families seeking to stay together," saidJanet Murguia, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza.
"The US Supreme Court should allow the President's executive action on immigration to move forward so that families can remain united," National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Executive Director Kenneth Romero said. "President George H. W. Bush took similar executive action, which was well within his authority then as it is now under President Obama. Though DAPA and DACA are no substitutes for comprehensive immigration reform, they correctly prioritize enforcement resources so the government does not persecute hard working individuals who strengthen our economy and have become an integral part of the social fabric that is America. We, therefore, urge the Honorable Justices to decide based on sound legal precedent, smart policy, and common human decency."
“Today, we are inspired by the mothers who are championing our communities, our families and our voices as they stand inside the Court and make their cases heard. 10 million people live under the constant threat and anxiety of deportation every day in mixed-status and undocumented families. Today’s lawsuit is one against children and families who are fighting for salud, dignidad y justicia for themselves and their communities. Our nation is better when we eliminate chaos and uncertainty in our homes and neighborhoods and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is proud to stand with these families,” stated Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
Matt Nelson, Managing Director, Presente.org, stated, "We expect the Supreme Court to see this anti-migrant lawsuit for the hateful sham that it is. From the day President Obama took office, immigrant and Latino communities have fought to win a strong executive order and the progress and dignity that comes with it. The lawsuit before the Supreme Court was filed by stubborn anti-migrant politicians to go before anti-migrant judges—all in an attempt to take this victory and our humanity away from us. No amount of anti-migrant politicians or judges will ever be able to stop millions of us from marching towards our freedom and full humanity.”
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