WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today responded to the Supreme Court’s 4-4 tie decision on U.S. v. Texas concerning President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.

In November 2014, President Obama announced Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs. In February 2015, a federal district court in Texas issued an injunction against the executive orders, placing their implementation on hold and preventing them from helping millions of people. Today’s 4-4 tie allows the district court decision to stand, placing an injunction on the implementation of both policies. A rehearing  can be requested due to the vacancy on the Supreme court.

“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,” Rep. Grijalva said. “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.”

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