December 4th, 2015

A group of 84 cities and counties announced Friday the filing of a friend-of-the-court brief with the United States Supreme Court, urging the body to review a lawsuit that has stalled President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. This show of support comes after the high court granted a request from the federal government this week that effectively ensures it will decide whether to take up the case by mid-January.

The amicus brief will be filed by Cities United for Immigration Action, a coalition of mayors founded by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio that has been pushing to help enact Obama’s executive actions on immigration. The list of 84 cities includes some of the country’s largest cities and counties, including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago.

"We are urging the Supreme Court to review this case so implementation of the president's executive actions can finally move forward, because the wheels of justice have been stuck in neutral for thousands of families for far too long,” de Blasio said in a statement from the coalition. “Cities are where immigrants live, and it is our residents, communities and economies that will reap the benefits from these policies. Cities are united, and we will fight for immigration reform in the courtroom, in Congress, and in our communities. As this legal challenge continues, our voices will be heard.”

Read more here.