One of the most vocal advocates for amnesty says he remains confident that illegal immigrants will one day be able to benefit from President Obama’s executive actions, despite the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ refusal to lift a lower court’s injunction on the programs.
“It is disappointing but not unexpected given the make-up of the Fifth Circuit and the panel hearing this preliminary case. I am confident millions of immigrants will eventually apply for DAPA and DACA, because the law is undeniably on the President’s side, as is public opinion,” Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) said following the three-judge panel’s 2-1 ruling against lifting the injunction.
The Tuesday ruling means that U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen’s hold on Obama’s executive amnesty programs — the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) — will remain in place.
Gutiérrez noted that, despite the defeat, he and other Democrats will continue work ensure illegal immigrants are ready when the executive amnesty programs are allowed to move forward.
“Meanwhile, I continue to work with Democrats and others who are preparing immigrant communities for the application process once the legal maneuvering is resolved and the courts reject the arguments of the Republican Governors and Attorneys General,” he said.
“The longer the court process takes, the harder it is to imagine a Republican candidate remains competitive in a bid for the White House, because increasingly, this will be the defining and decisive 2016 campaign issue,” Gutiérrez added.