WASHINGTON – The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Obama administration’s executive actions from last November that provided deportation protection for certain immigrants in the country illegally.
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said the court’s decision further delayed efforts to overhaul the nation’s immigration system and jeopardized the security of immigrant youth in the country illegally.
“It means kids will continue to worry that one day they’ll come home from school to find their parents gone – deported,” Bennet said. “It means our antiquated immigration laws will continue to hold back our economy. Congress could solve all of these problems and more by passing a bill to fix our immigration system.”
In a 2-1 vote, the 5th Circuit Court on Monday night upheld the preliminary injunction put in place by a lower court in Texas v. United States. Texas, along with 25 other states, sued after President Obama’s announcement to block the implementation of his executive actions.
The lawsuit challenged two programs included in President Obama’s orders, including the creation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents and an expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Both programs were meant to offset deportations of parents of U.S. citizens and youth brought to the country as children.
According to data from the Migration Policy Institute, there are an estimated 164,000 immigrants living in Colorado illegally, 14,000 of whom are younger than 16.
Bennet’s office also said that there are roughly 84,000 DACA- and DAPA-elligible individuals in the state, with individuals protected under the two programs. The office estimated they contribute around $3.3 billion to Colorado’s gross domestic product over the next 10 years.
Bennet said it’s time for Congress to act on immigration legislation, citing the Senate’s bipartisan efforts from 2013 as an example of working to find an across-the-board solution.
“Every day that Congress fails to act, our borders remain less secure, our visa system keeps us less competitive, our economy suffers, and millions of families remain in the shadows,” Bennet said.
The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
egraham@durangoherald.com. Edward Graham is a student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Durango Herald.
