Next Steps for Executive Action

In November 2014, President Obama announced executive actions that may help over four million undocumented immigrants obtain temporary relief from deportation. These actions were challenged in court by the governors of 26 states and a preliminary injunction was issued stopping the implementation of DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) and an extension of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). On Monday November 9th, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the federal government's appeal of the preliminary injunction. The administration has indicated its intent to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court with the hope of a favorable ruling in time to still implement the program prior to 2017. In the meantime, DAPA and extended DACA are still not in effect. This negatively impacts the lives of over 4 million individuals and their families. In Pennsylvania, it is estimated that nearly sixty thousand individuals would be eligible for DAPA and extended DACA relief. It is important for the community to know the programs have not been implemented and that they should be careful to avoid scams offering DAPA relief right now. Nationatlities Service Center supports the implementation of these programs and the passage of comprehensive immigration reform that would offer a path to citizenship for over 11 million undocumented members of our communities.

You can read more about the ruling in this New York Times article.