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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Injunction Against Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration

In a blow to President Obama’s immigration reform efforts, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction barring the Administration from moving forward with a series of executive orders that would protect nearly 5 million people from deportation.

The 2-1 ruling upholds a February decision by a Texas-based federal judge who rejected the Department of Justice’s request for the executive orders to go into effect pending appeal. 26 states challenged the executive actions in court.

The initiatives under scrutiny include expanding the eligibility for the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the creation of a Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program through a 2014 executive order. DACA protects immigrants if they were brought into the country illegally as children. DAPA would protect parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

Texas governor Greg Abbott responded to the decision saying, “The court’s decision is a vindication for the rule of law and the Constitution… The president’s job is to enforce the immigration laws, not rewrite them. President Obama should abandon his lawless executive amnesty program and start enforcing the law today.”

Dolores Huerta, founder and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Feminist Majority Foundation board member, said, “This decision shows how important it is to elect progressive presidents. This is a decision by a conservative majority on the court.”

In a statement, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, said, “The court’s flawed ruling today is inconsistent with even the most basic legal principles. While it is clear that our fight is far from over, the power of our voices and our votes will eventually prevail and bring about change. We will not deviate from a future in which all immigrants are treated with dignity and justice… We now call on the Department of Justice to seek Supreme Court review immediately where we are more likely to obtain justice for our communities.”

Media Resources: The Associated Press 11/9/15; CNN 2/17/15; The Blaze 11/9/15; National Immigration Law Center Press Release 11/9/15

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