FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
April 7, 2015 Joseph Rendeiro
jrendeiro@nclr.org
(202) 776-1566
WASHINGTON, D.C.—NCLR (National Council of La Raza) joined 153 civil, labor and immigrant rights groups in an amicus brief in support of two Department of Homeland Security programs that will strengthen families, national security and the economy by allowing millions of immigrants to apply for relief from deportation. The brief was one among several supporting the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), which are currently blocked by a federal district court. Other briefs include one by 73 cities and counties in 27 states, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and another by 181 members of Congress.
“It is time to allow common sense to prevail. The legitimate, precedent-based actions taken by the president will bring relief to millions of American families living in fear of losing a family member to deportation, and they will strengthen our economy by having those who are working do so legally, contributing more taxes and preventing bad employers from gaming the system,” said Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro, Deputy Vice President, Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation, NCLR. “We urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to let these programs proceed and let the country start taking sensible steps to address our outdated immigration system.”
In the brief, the groups present evidence and cases illustrating how delaying the implementation of these programs harms the nation’s economy and communities. NCLR’s Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations—operating in 41 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia—serves millions of Americans and immigrants annually. Through their work, they are witnessing how blocking these programs damages families and communities.
Today’s filings are the latest legal step in Texas et al. v. United States et al. On April 17, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in a request for emergency stay of the lower court injunction. If granted, the emergency stay would allow the U.S. government to begin implementation of DAPA and DACA expansion.
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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