CHC on U.S. v. Texas Oral Arguments

Statement

Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members released the following statements on the U.S. v. Texas oral arguments. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus led the push for the immigration executive actions and together with House Democrats, has been fighting to protect them since the President's announcement in November 2014. The case could affect millions of citizens and non-citizens, many of whom are Latino.

CHC Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez: "These immigration executive actions are a game changer for our community. DACA and DAPA are two simple but important actions that would allow young people and parents of U.S. citizens the ability to stay in this country, work, and pay taxes. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus remains optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule on the right side of history."

Congressman Joaquin Castro: "With this case, the Supreme Court has the opportunity to uphold DAPA and expanded DACA and provide peace of mind to millions of families who contribute to our nation and call America home. Until Congress passes comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama's lawful actions bring some order to our nation's broken system. I am confident that today's arguments will prove that the President acted within his legal authority when he created these sensible programs that strengthen our communities, bolster our national security, and demonstrate our commitment to families."

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra: "My father was a construction worker most of his life. My mother, who came from Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico to the United States, never had a chance to go to college either and became a clerical worker. But my parents did nothing but build this country. They worked very hard to make this a better land for so many people, and certainly for their four kids, who had a chance to go on to get a college degree. Does the Supreme Court want to be behind those who build this country and build dreams? Or do they want to support those who build walls? It is time for us to stand up. We are ready to work with the Supreme Court and make sure that we will continue to let Americans, including immigrants who have become Americans, build this country and build America."

Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez: "I will be inside the Supreme Court on Monday because the CHC and I kept pushing for executive action on immigration and I want to witness history. We started advocating for things like deferred action back in 2011, continued through the announcement of DACA in 2012, and up to the President's big announcement in 2014 of DACA-plus and DAPA. We knew the President was on solid legal ground and recommended policy steps he could take to help alleviate the worst aspects of our out-of-date immigration system immediately, within current law, and already approved by Congress on multiple occasions."

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard: "President Obama's executive actions to expand DACA and implement DAPA are not only legal, they are humane. If these actions take effect, more qualified immigrants will be able to come out of the shadows and contribute to our nation. More families will be able to live in peace, free from fears of being torn apart. I am confident the Supreme Court will affirm that President Obama has every right to take these executive actions."

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa: ""As a son of immigrants and a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am proud to represent a district along the U.S.-Mexico border with a large population of immigrants who contribute to the vibrancy of our regional economy, job growth and rich culture. The Rio Grande Valley of South Texas is also home to the three undocumented mothers representing the struggles of millions of other undocumented immigrants for whom they will be fighting in court today. In the United States v. Texas case, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to uphold the ability of the President to faithfully carry out the discretion afforded to him by Congress and rule in favor of the implementation of President Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We are a compassionate nation of immigrants, and we must continue to fight against misguided attempts to tear apart hard working families."

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano: "Today is an important day for all Americans in our great nation of immigrants. Together, our Hispanic Caucus has worked from day one with President Obama, encouraging him to act within existing law to offer relief from the fear of deportation for hardworking immigrant families. We fully affirm his actions to create DAPA and expand upon the successful DACA. It is critical to remember that these actions have not yet taken effect, so beware of notarios and others who may attempt to defraud. With our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate we stand today with millions of immigrant families. We are confident the Supreme Court will embrace their contributions and reject the hatemongers who seek to rip families apart."

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez: "As co-chair of the Immigration Task Force for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I strongly support the expanded DACA and DAPA, and I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will recognize the constitutional authority of President Obama's executive actions on immigration and reject Texas state officials' harmful politically motivated challenge. The President's executive actions on immigration enforce sensible priorities and have concrete legal precedent on their side. We are a nation of immigrants: uniting and keeping our families together is an integral American value. We should be protecting the stability of our hard-working immigrant families instead of tearing them apart. Comprehensive immigration reform is the moral imperative of our time and our hard-working immigrant families have waited long enough."

Congressman Raúl Grijalva: "President Obama's executive actions to help millions caught in our broken immigration system have been stalled for too long. The expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) would ensure our limited enforcement resources are focused on the people who actually pose a threat to the public, and leave aspiring Americans to stay with their families and continue earning their place in our society. It's time for the Supreme Court to end the uncertainty that this lawsuit created, and allow DACA and DAPA to provide the relief they were intended to."

Congressman Jim Costa: "By implementing Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and expanding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the President used his executive authority to act within existing laws, and it is my hope that after the Supreme Court hears today's oral arguments, we will be one step closer to fixing our nation's chaotic and broken immigration system. Let us never forget that the United States is a nation of hard working immigrants, and DACA and DAPA are commonsense policies that will enable individuals to live out of the shadows and make positive contributions to our society and economy."

Congressman Ben Ray Luján: "Just as presidents before him, including Reagan and Bush, President Obama took legal action to enforce our existing immigration laws. The President's executive actions will allow DREAMers and the parents of U.S. citizens to continue contributing to our communities and our economy without fear that they will be separated from their loved ones. While the only way to fully address our broken immigration system is through comprehensive immigration reform, moving forward with the President's legal authority to set enforcement priorities is good for our economy, our security, and reflects the contributions immigrants make to our country every day. I am confident the Supreme Court will follow the law and not extreme voices like Donald Trump Republicans."

Congressman Juan Vargas: "The US vs. Texas case is one of the most important issues the Supreme Court will hear this year. Millions of hard working Americans should be able to continue expanding their roots and contributing to our country through the DACA and DAPA programs."

Congressman Pete Aguilar: "I urge the Supreme Court to do the right thing and keep Latino and other immigrant families together instead of tearing them apart." Rep. Pete Aguilar."

Congresswoman Norma Torres: "I am confident the Supreme Court will agree the President was within his legal authority to create a sensible process to prioritize the deportation of dangerous criminals and provide relief to the many families across the country and in my home state of California who are American in every way but on paper. These families have become integral members of our communities and should not have to live in constant fear."