Statement by the Press Secretary on State of Texas v. United States of America

The Supreme Court and Congress have made clear that the federal government can set priorities in enforcing our immigration laws—which is exactly what the President did when he announced commonsense policies to help fix our broken immigration system. Those policies are consistent with the laws passed by Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court, as well as five decades of precedent by presidents of both parties who have used their authority to set priorities in enforcing our immigration laws.

The Department of Justice, legal scholars, immigration experts, and the district court in Washington, D.C. have determined that the President’s actions are well within his legal authority. Top law enforcement officials, along with state and local leaders across the country, have emphasized that these policies will also benefit the economy and help keep communities safe. The district court’s decision wrongly prevents these lawful, commonsense policies from taking effect and the Department of Justice has indicated that it will appeal that decision.


U.S. Department of Homeland Security
February 17, 2015

Statement by Secretary Jeh C. Johnson Concerning the District Court's Ruling Concerning DAPA and DACA

I strongly disagree with Judge Hanen’s decision to temporarily enjoin implementation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Department of Justice will appeal that temporary injunction; in the meantime, we recognize we must comply with it. 

Accordingly, the Department of Homeland Security will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA tomorrow, February 18, as originally planned. Until further notice, we will also suspend the plan to accept requests for DAPA. 

The Department of Justice, legal scholars, immigration experts and even other courts have said that our actions are well within our legal authority. Our actions will also benefit the economy and promote law enforcement. We fully expect to ultimately prevail in the courts, and we will be prepared to implement DAPA and expanded DACA once we do.

It is important to emphasize what the District Court’s order does not affect.

The Court’s order does not affect the existing DACA. Individuals may continue to come forward and request initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA pursuant to the guidelines established in 2012. 

Nor does the Court’s order affect this Department’s ability to set and implement enforcement priorities. The priorities established in my November 20, 2014 memorandum entitled “Policies for the Apprehension, Detention and Removal of Undocumented Immigrants” remain in full force and effect. Pursuant to those enforcement priorities, we continue to prioritize public safety, national security, and border security. I am pleased that an increasing percentage of removals each year are of those convicted of crimes.  I am also pleased that, due in large part to our investments in and prioritization of border security, apprehensions at the southern border – a large indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally -- are now at the lowest levels in years.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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Critics of Obama's Executive Action

Sen. Ted Cruz
February 17, 2015

Sen. Cruz: Court Decision Major Victory for Rule of Law, Senate Democrats Should Look Hard at This Ruling

Issues statement regarding Texas court order blocking Obama's amnesty

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, released the following statement regarding a Texas court injunction to temporarily block President Obama's executive action on amnesty:

"The Texas court decision reached last night is a major turning point in the fight to stop Obama's lawless amnesty," said Sen. Cruz. "Gov. Abbott and Attorney General Paxton are leading a coalition of 26 states to block the illegal executive actions and to protect our states, cities, and communities. This is a major victory for the rule of law; the District Court's ruling states that President Obama must now stop implementing these policies in 'any and all aspects.' Last summer we saw a humanitarian crisis on our southern border that was a direct consequence of Obama's previous amnesty. Republicans are now standing together to try to ensure that it never happens again.


"The Senate Democrats who are filibustering Department of Homeland Security funding should look hard at this ruling. At a time when we face grave national security threats, at home and abroad, it is the height of irresponsibility for the Democrats to block this funding in an extreme attempt to save Obama's amnesty, which a federal judge has just declared illegal."

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RickPAC
February 17, 2015

Statement by Gov. Perry Regarding Federal Judge's Ruling on Executive Amnesty

Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement regarding a U.S. District Court ruling on President Obama's executive action on illegal immigration:

"Yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen rightly blocked President Obama's executive action on illegal immigration. The president's action was a blatant overreach of executive power, an affront to the rule of law, and put partisan politics in front of lasting solutions. He put the legal status of millions of immigrants in question, adding confusion - not clarity - for these individuals.

"The U.S. needs competent leadership on illegal immigration, and I urge Congress to act quickly to pass a bill to secure the border once and for all."

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Former Gov. Mike Huckabee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 17, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alice Stewart 

NEWS RELEASE

Huckabee Responds to Tex. Judge Ruling on Obama's Overreach

Huckabee: "I applaud Judge Hanen's ruling that rightly draws a line in the sand on President Obama's unconstitutional executive orders."

Little Rock, Ark. - Former Arkansas Governor, 2008 Republican presidential candidate and New York Times Bestselling author Mike Huckabee has issued the following statement in response to U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen's ruling in Texas, which blocks President Obama's executive overreach on immigration:

 
"I applaud Judge Hanen's ruling that rightly draws a line in the sand on President Obama's unconstitutional executive orders.  President Obama has a fundamental lack of understanding of the Constitution and executive authority.  Despite what he thinks, our Constitution doesn't allow the president to just invent new immigration laws.  This ruling is a battle victory in the war against the president's unconstitutional overreach."  
 
                                                         #  #  #
Federation for American Immigration Reform
February 17, 2015

Statement by FAIR on Judge Andrew Hanen's Preliminary Injunction on Obama Amnesty Programs

The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to Federal Judge Andrew Hanen's preliminary injunction barring implementation of President Obama's executive amnesty programs for 5 million illegal aliens:

"Judge Hanen's ruling preventing the Obama administration from proceeding with a plan to grant amnesty and work authorization to millions of illegal aliens is an important victory for the integrity of U.S. immigration law, American workers and taxpayers, and for our constitutional system of government.

"The Constitution clearly grants Congress the plenary authority to make immigration laws. President Obama's attempt to allow broad classes of illegal aliens the right to live and work legally in the United States, under the guise of discretionary authority, is nothing more than a blatant end-run around the Constitution.

"Most importantly, this injunction acknowledges the American people as the primary stakeholders in U.S. immigration policy, and that the president's actions would irreparably harm the interests of American citizens and the states and communities in which they live.

"FAIR applauds Judge Hanen's sound ruling and we expect that his decision will be upheld by the Fifth Circuit and, ultimately, the United States Supreme Court."

 

Media Contact:
Anna Giaritelli, Press Secretary

Supporters of Obama's Executive Action

DREAM Action Coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 17, 2014
CONTACT
Cesar Vargas, J.D.
Erika Andiola

** STATEMENT **

JEB BUSH WILLING TO POINT FINGERS BUT DO NOTHING ON IMMIGRATION 

Washington, D.C- In reaction to Jeb Bush’s statement condemning President Obama's immigration actions in the midst of a Court decision in Texas v. U.S  enjoining the actions, Cesar Vargas, Co-Director of the Dream Action Coalition, issued the following statement:
 
  Legal precedent has consistently established a President's broad constitutional authority to act on immigration. President Obama's DACA and DAPA program are examples of bold leadership from an executive. It is unfortunate, Mr. Jeb Bush is continuing Tea party talking points without urging Speaker Boehner and Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to come up with a solution.
 
Even Jeb Bush own father has taken similar immigration actions. In 1989, the Senate passed a bill to protect children whose parents were both eligible for legalization. The House failed to act on the bill. President George H.W. Bush took executive action the next year and administratively implemented the Senate bill's provisions.
 
Jeb Bush shows that when Congress fails to fulfill its constitutional duty, he is willing to cross his arms and do nothing.

* STATEMENT **

DESPITE MINOR LEGAL BUMP, EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON IMMIGRATION ARE HERE TO STAY!

Washington, D.C- In reaction to today’s Court decision in Texas v. U.S to enjoin President Obama's executive action on immigration, Cesar Vargas & Erika Andiola, Co-Directors of the Dream Action Coalition, issued the following statement: 

This decision by  Republican judge comes at no surprise: the injunction is clearly based more on politics than law, and is now part of an aggressive effort by the rightward fringe of the GOP to scare Dreamers and parents from applying.

Nevertheless, we will not let this temporary obstacle stop us from holding forums, encouraging people to collect their paperwork and eventually apply; this injunction is only temporary after all. 

We have already fought hard to pressure the President to make this announcement a reality because we know it falls within his constitutional powers.  Now is the time for the community to continue to fight and understand that DACA and DAPA will happen, it is merely a matter of time.

It is also crucial to understand that, under the President's announcement, DHS changed their deportation priorities, meaning that those who fall under DACA/DAPA should not be deported. We ask DHS to follow the new memos to insure our communities are not being deported while we go through the court processes.
American Immigration Council
For Immediate Release

February 17, 2015

 Texas Decision at Odds with Legal Precedent, History and Facts on Immigration Enforcement

Washington D.C. - Late last night, a Texas judge issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocks the implementation of President Obama’s new deferred action initiatives. These initiatives, announced last November, came in response to more than 10 years of political stalemates and failure by Congress to address America’s broken immigration system and alleviate the pain endured by millions of families around the country. The President’s announced initiatives will provide temporary relief from deportation to approximately 5 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. 

The new deferred action initiatives, which include Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and an expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), are based on the well-established authority of Presidents and other executive branch officers to allocate and prioritize finite enforcement resources. This practice is used by prosecutors and other law enforcement personnel on daily basis. The judge’s order, issued just two days before the government was set to begin the DACA expansion, bars federal immigration officials from implementing “any and all aspects” of the new deferred action initiatives.

The following is a statement by Melissa Crow, Legal Director at the American Immigration Council:

“Today’s decision is only the first round in what will clearly be a much longer legal battle. Already, the White House has promised that the Justice Department will appeal the judge’s decision, and we urge them to do so in an expedited manner. We expect higher courts to overturn the judge’s decision based on well-established precedent.

“Today’s decision is more rooted in political rhetoric than legal rationales. It relies on a distorted view of overwhelming evidence of the economic benefits of immigration and ignores Supreme Court precedent. It also discounts a long history of recourse to prosecutorial discretion, which has been exercised by every President since Eisenhower. The decision relies on a technical violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to find that the Administration did not follow proper procedures, while ignoring the fact that the President’s deferred action initiatives are not subject to the APA. While the decision will unfortunately delay critical efforts to address our broken immigration system, the need and the demand for reform has never been greater. We remain confident that it is a question of when, not if, these programs will take effect."

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For more information, contact Wendy Feliz


National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2015

Contact: 
Loretta Kane, Camino Public Relations

Latinas criticize injunction against administrative relief programs

Will continue fight for health, dignity, and justice for immigrant women and families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) denounces yesterday’s decision by the federal district court in Brownsville, Texas granting a preliminary injunction in Texas v. United States, the 26-state challenge to the president’s administrative reforms of immigration policy. This preliminary injunction will delay the implementation of the president’s reforms – which include the expansion of deferred action for individuals who came to the United States as children and for parents of citizens and permanent residents – nationwide.

 
Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of NLIRH has issued the below statement in response: 
 
“As an organization committed to the health and rights of immigrant Latinas and their families, we are deeply disappointed with today’s decision. The preliminary injunction against the president’s immigration reforms will harm immigrant women and families who would benefit from these much-needed immigration protections. 
 
Justice delayed is justice denied. Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) will save lives, keep families together, and ensure that immigrant women and families can contribute to our nation’s shared prosperity without the constant threat of deportation. These programs are an important step in the right direction – particularly for immigrant women who are the backbones of their families and communities. We are appalled that state governments are pursuing lawsuits to roll back much-needed protections for immigrant women and families, instead of embracing the reforms as good for the health of families, communities, and our nation’s economy. 
 
The states’ contention that the reforms will harm their state governments is false. The reforms are expected to increase our nation’s GDP by $90 billion to $210 billion over 10 years – with significant increases to the GDP of states involved in the lawsuit including Texas and Florida. We know that immigrants, including immigrant women, make tremendous contributions to our communities and nation’s economy. Policies expanding opportunities for immigrant families are not only humane, but also represent smart fiscal and public policy. 
 
The president’s reforms are an important first step forward – but much more is needed from our nation’s lawmakers. Across the country, Latinas are defending the president’s actions and holding their lawmakers accountable by demanding broad-based reforms that ensure fairness and justice in our nation’s immigration laws – including reforms to enable immigrant families to participate in healthcare programs that build healthy families and communities.” 
 
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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to building Latina power to advance health, dignity, and justice for 26 million Latinas, their families, and communities in the United States through leadership development, community mobilization, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.

Alliance for Citizenship

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES                                         CONTACT

Events Feb 17-22, 2015                                                    Kyle Tharp

                                                                                                Dawn Le

Despite Texas Court Ruling and Political Attacks Against Immigrants…

Dreamers, Immigrant Families, Advocates Rally in 60 cities in 19 states to Support and Defend their Recent Immigration Victory

Confident That Initial Court Ruling Will Not Stand, Immigrant Families and their Allies Continue Preparations to Get Millions Registered with 85+ Events During the 10-day Mid-Winter Congressional Recess

 

Washington, DC – After weeks of attempts to repeal the President’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) programs in Congress and last night’s court ruling temporarily blocking the programs’ implementation, immigrant families, faith, labor, small business and elected officials are holding more than 75 “Ready for DACA” and “Ready for DAPA” events to show support for the immigration action and speak out against the attacks. 

Below is short list of large rallies and events happening today for the National “Ready for DACA/Ready for DAPA” Day of Action:

[ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL]

 

ed.... very long list followed]