WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today met with families and advocates demonstrating in front of the Supreme Court as justices heard arguments in U.S. v. Texas, the court case that has blocked implementation of President Obama’s executive actions on enforcement priorities since November, 2014. Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and an expanded scope for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would provide much needed relief to an estimated five million people, but both have been on hold as a result of this case. Grijalva and a small group of fellow lawmakers later met with a group of potential DACA and DAPA recipients in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Grijalva released the following statement:

“President Obama’s executive actions to help millions of families caught in our broken immigration system have been stalled for too long,” Rep. Grijalva said. “These policies 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 being productive members of our society.

“The people I met today are not asking for special treatment or an unfair advantage,” Grijalva continued. “They’re asking to feel secure in their homes and communities. They want to pursue a better life for their families and to continue working in the United States without fear of having loved ones swept away by a callous and draconian immigration system. In this country made great by the hard work and contributions of immigrants, that is not too much to ask.

“There is no doubt that DACA and DAPA are within President Obama’s authority and within previous precedent: Eleven presidents from both political parties have taken executive action on immigration 39 times over the past 60 years. 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.”

A photo album from today’s Supreme Court rally is available here.

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