It's been one year
It’s been one year since U.S. District Court Judge Andrew S. Hanen halted President Obama’s November 2014 executive actions to expand the program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA+) and the launch the new, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).
In the legal roller coaster ride that has ensued since Hanen issued his injunction, immigrant leaders and advocates have continually called for a swift judicial resolution in hopes that DACA+ and DAPA could be enacted and implemented before the end of the Obama presidency.
After a longer than expected, yet wholly unsurprising, 2-1 decision against implementation by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana last November, the Department of Justice has taken the case of DACA+ and DAPA to the Supreme Court.
Though legal experts and immigrant advocates anticipated the Supreme Court would eventually decide the case of DACA+ and DAPA, with t
As the legal process continues for DACA+ and DAPA, the Forum urges members of the undocumented community, allies and immigrant-serving organizations to consider the following: he recent unexpected passing of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court now finds itself with only eight active justices. Republican presidential hopefuls and the Republican congressional leadership have vowed to obstruct any Supreme Court nominations made by President Obama until after the next President is sworn into office on January 20, 2017. This could leave DACA+ and DAPA in danger of not being resolved, perhaps indefinitely, unless the eight-member Supreme Court can avoid a 4-4 decision.
- 2012 DACA is still in effect – If you believe you or someone you know may qualify under the 2012 DACA guidelines, please seek trusted and qualified legal assessment. If you are currently a DACA recipient, ensure you are up-to-date on when to begin your DACA renewal process.
- The Forum offers DACA informational sessions, in English or Spanish; for more information click here.
- Continue preparing your documents – Whether you are preparing to apply for 2012 DACA or hope to be able to apply for DACA+ and DAPA, continue gathering your documentation and be prepared as possible when the time comes for either expanded administrative relief or comprehensive immigration reform.
- Stay informed on the latest administrative relief news – Stay informed on the latest developments regarding administrative relief and immigration reform.
- Let your voice be heard – Contact your federal elected officials, the White House, the Department of Justice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in support of anti-deportation policies to keep families together. To learn more about local anti-deportation efforts contact Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD).
The Forum is committed to continuing to advocate with and for members of the undocumented immigrant community to implement DACA+ and DAPA. It will also continue pushing for a just reform of the immigration system to ensure people can come out of the shadows and live without fear of deportation.