For Immediate Release: April 18, 2016
Contact: [email protected] | @citiesforaction
AS ORAL ARGUMENTS BEGIN, CITIES URGE SUPREME COURT TO RULE IN FAVOR OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION
Cities For Action Highlights Events Taking Place In Cities Across The Country.
NEW YORK – Today oral arguments are being held in United States v. Texas, the Supreme Court case that will determine the implementation of President Obama’s executive action on immigration, providing temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to millions of immigrants. As advocates gather in Washington D.C., cities across the nation are hosting events to support these historic reforms for immigrant families.
Over 100 cities and counties have joined forces as part of Cities for Action, a coalition of mayors promoting and advancing the President’s immigration reforms nationwide. These cities and counties filed a friend-of-the-court amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Texas, urging the Court to overturn a lower court’s decision and allow President Obama’s executive action on immigration to move forward. The brief, signed by 118 cities and counties representing 35 states and 55 million people, argues that the nationwide injunction blocking implementation of the President’s executive action on immigration was erroneously entered and should be reversed because it places millions of families in cities and counties at economic and personal risk.
A sampling of actions hosted by cities taking place nationwide includes:
New York – As part of the New York City’s Immigrant Heritage Week, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs will host a panel discussion event, “Valuing Our Undocumented Heritage: Stories from the Margins, Past & Present.” This event, co-sponsored by The cIRCA 86: Voices of Amnesty Project, offers a historical perspective of immigration policy that links to current immigration reform and the conditions undocumented Americans face today.
Los Angeles – The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs coordinated on a national education effort entitled “Faces of DAPA and DACA+”. The Los Angeles launch of the picture and story exhibit was on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the Los Angeles City Hall, and will continue to run through June 15, 2016.
Birmingham – In coordination with immigrant rights groups, the Mayor’s office will sponsor “Faces of DAPA/DACA+”, an art exhibition highlighting the stories of local immigrant leaders who are eligible for the executive action on immigration, narrating their everyday struggle to find justice and keep their families together.
Houston – Immigrant rights groups representing faith, labor, and advocacy organizations will hold a press conference at City Hall, highlighting community members who qualify for DAPA and DACA+.
“This country was founded by immigrants, who fuel our economy and help ensure our communities prosper. Yet too many immigrant families face tremendous barriers because they are undocumented, and the continued delay of President Obama’s executive action will only keep tearing them apart. That’s why New York is proud to join over 100 cities and counties in urging the Supreme Court to overturn this unjust delay and ensure that immigrants here and around the country see the relief they deserve – so that cities like ours can thrive,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
"Los Angeles, like all great cities across our country, is fueled by the cultural, political, and economic contributions immigrants make every day," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. "For far too long, many Angelenos have lived in fear of deportation and separation from their loved ones. It is our obligation to fight for these families to ensure that they remain united. We stand in support of President Obama's executive action on immigration and urge the Supreme Court to rule in his favor."
"The City of Atlanta continues to support President Barack Obama's decision to take action on immigration," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayors across America in urging the Supreme Court to lift the nationwide injunction on DACA and DAPA, allowing these programs to move forward and for our country to take this essential step toward fixing our broken immigration system.”
“Birmingham is proud to support President Obama’s executive action on immigration. Along with cities and counties across the nation, we urge the Supreme Court to seek justice for our immigrant families. We can no longer make the millions of immigrants who qualify the President’s reforms wait. Welcoming them is what’s right for our country, our cities and our economy,” said Birmingham Mayor William Bell.
"The City of Philadelphia is proud to continue its support for President Obama’s executive action which helps further the integration of immigrants into our society. I urge the Supreme Court to lift the injunction on DAPA and grant relief from deportation to millions of immigrants who qualify so they can fulfill their educational dreams and further contribute to our economy," said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
"As mayor of Houston, home of the largest immigrant populations in the nation, I urge the Supreme Court to rule in favor of President Obama's executive action on immigration," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Millions of families are at risk, working and living in the shadows of society while contributing daily to our economy. It is time to take action to extend the rights, privileges and protections that we so highly value as Americans to law-abiding, hard-working immigrants who, like us, aspire to the American dream."
"I remain optimistic that DAPA and expanded DACA will be able to go into effect," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "They are reasonable measures that provide much needed temporary relief to families that have been part of our communities for years.
"I urge the Supreme Court to uphold the President's action on immigration. We must continue to move forward on immigration reform for the growth and prosperity of our nation, " said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
As a national advocacy coalition, Cities for Action stands in support of stronger cities through immigration action. Cities for Action mayors are shaping the national debate, working together to welcome and embrace new immigrants, and promoting legal and community-based efforts in support of the President’s executive actions on immigration.
For more information on the actions cities are taking, visit www.citiesforaction.us
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