Post by bot on May 19, 2015 19:28:11 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans Day
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of DAPA Day, which marks the day the President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions, including the Deferred Action for Parents program, were supposed to go into effect (see below for Spanish translation):
“Today should have been a joyful day for immigrant families across the country, when undocumented parents with children who are American citizens would have been able to begin applying for deferred action through the Administration’s new DAPA program, halting their risk of deportation. Sadly, the launch of this program has been put on hold as a result of a court ruling in Texas that many legal experts agree was incorrect. I am proud to have joined with 180 other House Democrats in filing an amicus brief in support of the Administration’s suit to allow the DAPA program to move forward, and I will continue to work to stop families from being torn apart.
“House Democrats have been holding informational events in our Congressional districts to provide information to those who may be eligible for DAPA and the expanded DACA program for those who were brought here as children, and we will continue to do so in anticipation of the courts ruling in their favor. I want to thank Rep. Luis Gutiérrez for joining House Democrats in districts across the country, including the district I represent in Maryland, to educate families on these programs and for his continued leadership in defending the President’s executive action. If Republicans disagree with the President’s executive action on immigration, I would urge them to work with us to bring a comprehensive immigration reform bill to the Floor that would replace DACA and DAPA with an alternative that keeps families together and creates a pathway to citizenship for those who want to work hard and help build a stronger America.”
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