Federal Court’s Continue the Hold on DACA and DAPA
President Obama’s executive actions to protect millions of immigrants remain on hold after a federal appeals court panel refused to allow the programs to go into effect. President Obama announced Extended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) in November 2014. U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas blocked the implementation of DACA and DAPA back in February. The administration appealed the injunction asking a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal to allow the programs to proceed. On Tuesday, Judges Jerry Smith and Jennifer Walker Elrod rejected to lift the hold on President Obama’s policies, ruling that they go “beyond simple non-enforcement.” While many fear that there is no hope for President Obama’s executive actions to move forward, Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, predicts DACA and DAPA will eventually become victorious in the courts. President Obama’s administration will continue its appeal of the preliminary injunction in the 5th Circuit. The Justice Department will also review the judge’s opinions to consider other possibilities.
Read more about the federal court’s decision here. We are here to answer any questions you have and give legal advice concerning this and other legal immigration concerns.Contact Attorney James A. Welcome at jwelcome@welcomelawfirm.com or call (203) 806-7922.