Post by bot on Jun 26, 2016 16:35:41 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on the Supreme Court's Ruling in President Obama's Executive Actions on Immigration
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court issued a tied 4-4 ruling on President Obama's executive actions on immigration:
“Today’s deadlock by the Supreme Court in the suit against President Obama’s DAPA and expanded DACA programs to keep immigrant families together ignores decades of judicial precedent affirming the President’s executive authority to set law enforcement priorities. DAPA and DACA are carefully crafted – and strictly limited – initiatives to empower law enforcement officials to focus on genuine public safety threats while allowing undocumented immigrants with significant family and community ties here to obtain temporary, renewable deferrals of deportation. In spite of clear precedent, in favor of the President’s actions following the Republican-led Congress’s failure to do its job, this deadlock signals a temporary setback for those working to fix our broken immigration system and keep families together. But I continue to believe strongly that the President’s actions are constitutional, and as we look ahead we will be exploring all legal options, including re-argument, to ensure these programs can move forward.
“This case is a stark reminder of why Republican opponents of DAPA and DACA in Congress, almost all of whom have condemned the current immigration system as irreparably broken, must work with Democrats to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that secures our borders, provides an earned pathway to citizenship, and makes it easier for talented innovators and entrepreneurs to come here and contribute to our economy. Moreover, this deadlock is the most significant example we have seen to date of why Senate Republicans’ refusal to allow hearings and a vote on the confirmation of Judge Merrick Garland is so dangerous and consequential.
“Splitting families up may be the Republican way, but it isn’t the American way, and Democrats will continue to fight for immigration reform that respects the dignity and contributions of immigrants who have lived here, in many cases, for much of their lives. I urge Senate Republicans to allow the confirmation process for Judge Garland to move forward so that this case can be reheard and a clear ruling can be issued at a future date.”