Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of President Obama's announcement of new executive measures to help fix our nation's broken immigration system. The measures include establishing a Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and expanding the current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Together, these steps will help millions of families stay together. While earlier this month, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled 2-1 to uphold a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the President's actions, the Obama Administration and Department of Justice are moving to file an appeal to the Supreme Court, opening the door for the Supreme Court to rule this term on allowing these programs to go forward.
"Today should be a day to celebrate the enormous and positive impact the President's measures have on families across the country. Instead, we are once again reminded of how partisan politics has permeated immigration reform -- an issue that, until recently, always seemed to enjoy bipartisan support.
"Despite the history of this issue, and their repeated promises, Republicans in Congress failed to move on the critical issue of reforming our immigration system. In this absence of action, last year, President Obama took decisive steps to help American communities stay strong and American families stay together. When opponents try to stop these programs -- when they file lawsuits, and hold up funding bills over it -- they're really stopping families from being able to live their lives.
"The President's actions were important, valuable steps forward, and I am confident that the Supreme Court will agree and remove the remaining barriers to helping millions of parents and children. Yet, there is nothing that can take the place of a comprehensive immigration reform package from Congress. Democrats have been willing to work in a constructive, bipartisan way and I hope that we'll see our counterparts finally be willing to step up and do what needs to be done. Every day without a solution is a day that hurts us as a nation."
Congressman Crowley is the nine-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.