Hispanic Caucus on U.S. v. Texas Decision

Statement

Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members released the following statements on the U.S. v. Texas ruling. The 4-4 tie means that President Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) cannot move forward for implementation.

Earlier today, Members of the CHC spoke outside the Supreme Court. You can catch their press conference remarks here.

CHC Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez: "La lucha continua. The struggle continues. Today's U.S. v. Texas decision is a blow to the Latino and immigrant community. The fate of millions of families will remain in purgatory. Our community is being punished for the "crime' of wanting a better life for their family. And yet we see no salvation in sight. The Republican majority in the Senate continues to block a vote on a ninth judge. We now march into November with determination to vote for a President and representatives in Congress that will fight for the immigration executive actions and most importantly, for comprehensive immigration reform."

CHC Second Vice Chair Joaquin Castro: "Today's ruling is a setback, but it's not the end of the road for these much-needed programs or for the millions of people eligible for them. I am confident that this case will come before the Supreme Court again. Fortunately, the decision today does not affect DACA 2012, and it will remain in place. This decision emphasizes the urgent need to fill the Supreme Court's vacant seat. Cases like U.S. v. Texas are too important to stall due to politics. I am dedicated to passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation. We must find solutions to fix America's broken immigration system and find policies that more closely align with our values as a nation of immigrants."

CHC Whip Ruben Gallego: "Today's disappointing decision is an unfortunate setback for the immigrant families who now must continue to live in fear of separation. But this fight is not over. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue to work with the tireless advocates who are fighting to protect immigrant families and to make sure that every member of our community can live in dignity. The DAPA and DACA programs are a legal, commonsense exercise of the President's longstanding authority to determine how to best use our resources and determine priorities under our immigration laws. I am confident that this case will return to the Supreme Court, where a full panel of justices will see through the political motives of this case and agree."

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra: "As the son of immigrants, I know first-hand how our country serves as a beacon of hope, opportunity, and freedom for millions people across the country. The Court's deadlocked decision on expanded DACA and DAPA means that millions of hardworking people in America, who have worked to build our country up, might be separated from their loved ones. The Department of Justice should seek a rehearing before a full Court. We won't stop fighting for immigrant rights and we won't stop fighting to keep families together."

Congressman José Serrano: "Today's Supreme Court deadlock decision is a disappointing setback, but not a definitive or defining decision for the countless immigrant families that will be affected by it. The President's Executive Actions are within the Executive branch's broad legal authority and in line with the precedent that has been established by every Administration during the last 50 years, and I am confident justice will prevail when a full nine justice Supreme Court reviews the case again after the current SCOTUS vacancy is filled. Furthermore, Democrats are committed to continue pushing for comprehensive immigration reform to address this and other issues related to immigration. Unfortunately, Republicans are celebrating this decision as a victory. Instead of celebrating they should be reaching across the aisle and working with Democrats on this important issue. President Obama had to take these actions because of the lack of action in Congress. The Supreme Court's tie and inability to solve this case underscores again why it is important to get to work on fixing our nation's broken immigration system, as leaders from the business, faith, and law enforcement communities, as well as Members of both parties have repeatedly called for."

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard: "Today's split decision from the Supreme Court is deeply disappointing. The ruling means that more immigrant families will be at risk of separation, more undocumented parents will be forced to stay in our nation's shadows, and more noncitizens will be unable to contribute their talents in support of America's communities and economy. I am confident that this case will return to the Supreme Court once the court has its full complement of nine justices again. In the meantime, the Department of Justice should keep working to defend the legality of these programs, and push for the case to be reheard by a full court as soon as possible."

Attribute to Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez: "The fact is that without the President's Executive Action millions of immigrant families and thousands of New Yorkers will have to return to living in constant fear. These are our neighbors, our friends and our coworkers. They have contributed to building our communities and are American in every way, except for their legal status. Going forward, with this Court's ruling, the need for immigration reform that keeps families together becomes all the more urgent. This will require action by a Congress that has, so far, failed to act responsibly. It is therefore all the more important the American people vote in November and elect Members of Congress willing to take on this issue and pass meaningful legislation."

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa: "I am deeply saddened by the Supreme Court's deadlocked opinion. In crafting his immigration enforcement priorities, President Obama rightly chose to grant hard-working families, who love this country, relief from deportation. We are a compassionate nation built by immigrants, and this decision goes against the very essence of what it is to be American. This decision notwithstanding, I will continue fighting on behalf of our immigrant brethren. Moreover, I will continue to push for comprehensive immigration reform that serves for America's best interests, promotes fairness and the rule of law, and contributes effectively and meaningfully to our economic well-being and recovery."

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano: "We are extremely disappointed the Supreme Court has been tainted by politics as usual, thanks to the overreach by one district court judge and the partisan obstruction of Republicans in Congress. The Court has failed the American people, and our communities will continue to suffer as a result. This illustrates exactly what is at stake when politicians play games with the nation's highest court and why the Supreme Court vacancy must be filled. It is critical to note that today's erroneous outcome does not impact DACA 2012, which was not at issue in this case. My Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to building on that progress we have made, embracing the contributions of more than 730,000 young DREAMers. Today's setback is heartbreaking, but it will not deter us from fighting to ensure all immigrants can live in dignity, without fear of being separated from their families."

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez: "I'm deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court's split decision on U.S. v. Texas which sustains Texas state officials' harmful politically motivated challenge. Our unjust and broken immigration system has forced millions of families into the shadows. 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. Immigrants, regardless of legal status, deserve justice and dignity. Comprehensive immigration reform is the moral imperative of our time and our hard-working immigrant families have waited long enough for Congress to act."

Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva: "Today's 4-4 Supreme Court ruling allows a flawed injunction against the expansion of DACA and DAPA to stand, leaving vulnerable people all across the country to continue suffering under an immigration system that splinters families and betrays our values. The silver lining is that a 4-4 tie is not precedent setting, and I hope that the Court revisits this vital issue with the urgency it deserves. But this does emphasize why the Republican refusal to confirm a ninth Supreme Court justice is so toxic to our legal system and our society. We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws, and both of those facts are betrayed by a political party that undermines the integrity of our highest court and attacks our president's legal efforts to help aspiring Americans. I appreciate President Obama's efforts to act where Republicans wouldn't, but in light of this ruling, he must redouble his efforts to ensure innocent families do not continue to suffer. I will continue to work with this administration and the next to create a common sense immigration process once and for all."

Congressman Jim Costa: "Undoubtedly, today's ruling is a setback to the progress made for immigrant families in the Valley and throughout the United States, but that does not mean we will stop fighting for these important policies that keep families together. I will continue to strongly support expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). Our country's current immigration system is not sustainable, it does not make economic sense, and it is not fair to families. Simply stated, as I have said many times, we have a broken immigration system that must be fixed. Let us never forget that that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants, and now, more than ever, we need Comprehensive Immigration Reform."

Congressman Ben Ray Lujan: "I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision that flies in the face of past legal rulings that have upheld the President's authority to act on immigration. President Obama took legal action to enforce our existing immigration laws, just as every president since Eisenhower has done, including President Reagan and both President Bushes. I'm saddened to think about all of the families that will continue to be broken apart -- mothers and fathers separated from their children -- because of the Court's decision today. This is yet another reminder why it is so important that Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform that is good for our economy, our security, and reflects the contributions immigrants make to our country every day. I am confident that the President's executive actions will again be before the Supreme Court in the future, and on that day, the Justices will follow the law and not the extreme voices like Donald Trump and his Republican Party."

Congressman Tony Cárdenas: "We have fought for immigration reform for years. I am disappointed to see that even the highest court in the nation has left in the shadows the millions of people who live in our neighborhoods, work in our communities and strengthen our economy. Now more than ever, we need to come together to elect leaders who understand the value of immigrants and push the Senate to do their job of filling the Supreme Court vacancy. We must also encourage those who are eligible to become naturalized citizens and make their voices heard at the polls."

Congressman Pete Aguilar: "Today's ruling was disappointing, but the fight for immigration reform goes on. The president's executive actions are commonsense steps to address our broken immigration system while we wait for Congress to take action on comprehensive immigration reform. This ruling is not the end; it is a disheartening setback but the Supreme Court has not ruled on the merits of the actions and we will continue to fight for reforms that will keep hardworking immigrant families together. Senate Republicans' refusal to hold confirmation hearings to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court has shown us the dangerous consequences of their continued and purposeful inaction."

Congresswoman Norma Torres: "I am disappointed the Court was deadlocked in this ruling, leaving thousands of families in the shadows and at risk of being ripped apart. As a matter of humanity, separating families or deporting people from the only country they have ever known is cruel and unjust. But as a matter of policy, DAPA and the DACA extension make our country stronger by allowing millions to legally work, get an education, and contribute to their communities, creating jobs and raising wages. Today's decision reaffirms just how important it is for the Latino community to make their voices heard this November to elect a Democratic Congress that will finally do the right thing and fix our broken immigration system. These families deserve certainty, compassion, and a fair process to attain legal status and have a shot at the American Dream."

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