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Executive Action

Current News

On June 23, 2016 the United States Supreme Court issued a 4-4 “non-decision” decision in United States v. Texas, upholding a preliminary injunction blocking deferred action programs announced by President Barack Obama on November 20, 2014. This ruling affects millions of qualifying parents and Dreamers from requesting deferred action under DACA Plus or DAPA. A link to the ruling, legal briefs and analyses in connection with the case can be found here: http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/united-states-v-texas/

Center’s Response to Executive Action

Events Concerning United States v. Texas

July 8, 2016 at noon
Brown Bag Lunch

A roundtable with local government and community leaders to discuss the Supreme Court immigration case (U.S. v. Texas) and answer questions. The goal of the meeting is for local leaders to have accurate information about the ruling when speaking to their own constituencies.

August 31, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. | Room 201, State College Municipal Building, State College, PA
Immigration Issues After U.S. v. Texas: A Community Dialogue

Community education for faith-based groups, local government, educators, and interested members of the Penn State community about the immigration case and steps the community can take to help affected communities and make State College a welcoming community. Co-sponsored by the Borough of State College, the Centre County Women’s Resource Center, the School of Labor & Employee Relations within the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, and the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition..

September 1, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. | Penn State Law Clinics, Suite 118, 329 Building, Innovation Park, University Park, PA
Information Session for Immigration Community on Rights and Remedies After U.S. v. Texas

Information session for affected community members about the implications of U.S. v. Texas, steps for seeking legal access, and possible options for immigration protection under prosecutorial discretion. Co-sponsored by the Borough of State College, the Centre County Women’s Resource Center, the School of Labor & Employee Relations within the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, the Movement of Immigrant Leaders in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, and Schneck & Harley Immigration Law Group, LLP.

For the last several years, the Center for Immigrants' Rights has engaged in community outreach and education to the local bar and municipality on prosecutorial discretion and deferred action specifically. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Texas, the Center will conduct informational sessions for those seeking accurate information about what the Supreme Court case means and also explain how Dreamers and parents who would have qualified for DAPA can pursue other forms of relief. As practicable, the Center will continue to conduct community based presentations; screen those potentially eligible for relief; refer individuals to pro bono attorneys; and represent individual clients.​

Center’s Response to Injunction Litigation

Throughout the litigation, the Center for Immigrants' Rights has collaborated closely with the office of the Mayor of State College to educate the community on President Obama's executive action programs. In this capacity, students at the center presented a discussion of select programs (DAPA and DACA) to the community at a Borough Council meeting and facilitated legal analysis or advocacy in connection with litigation to support these programs. Additionally, the Center has provided legal analysis and support to Mayor Goreham on the issues surrounding the injunction. This collaboration laid the groundwork for the Mayor’s endorsement of amicus briefs before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court on behalf of mayors, cities, county executives, and counties from across the country in support of the president’s executive actions on immigration. Finally, the Center testified before the Borough of State College and the College Democrats at Penn State on the litigation challenging DAPA and DACA Plus.

Resources​

Understanding the Legal Challenges to Executive Action (American Immigration Council) (June 2016)

Fifth Circuit Oral Arguments (April 17)

Order of Preliminary Injunction (February 16, 2015)

Department of Justice Brief in Support of Appeal (March 30, 2015)

Government’s Motion for Stay Pending Appeal (March 12, 2015)

Law Professor Letter Opposing the Injunction; signed by 104 immigration law professors and scholars (March 12, 2015)

Law Professor Amicus Brief; signed by 109 immigration law professors (April 6, 2015)

Mayors’ Amicus Brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court (April 6, 2015)

Flyer discussing the litigation, including national responses to the injunction (Center for Immigrants’ Rights) (August 2015)