This Week in Immigration Reform — Week Ending May 22

on in Immigration Reform Updates

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Week Ending May 22

This week in immigration reform: NCLR and others raise awareness on original DAPA implementation date; NCLR continues blog series on deferred action recipients; and an update on state-level activity.

NCLR and advocates participate in National Day of Action in support of DAPA: This Tuesday was the original date the Obama administration would have begun accepting applications for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). However, that deferred action program that would bring relief to millions of people is currently on hold, pending an appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Our press statement notes: “Instead of celebrating with the millions of families who would finally gain a reprieve from the needless separations that have torn apart our communities, today we continue to navigate this drawn-out, unnecessary litigation that has left so many American families in limbo,” said Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro, Deputy Vice President of the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “By pursuing this lawsuit, the opponents of these programs accomplish nothing beyond damaging our economy, jeopardizing our national security and attacking Latino families.” A decision from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is expected any day now, although there is no deadline for a decision.  For more information on the possible litigation scenarios, check out this document from the National Immigration Law Center.

Studies show DAPA would benefit the American economy. A piece from the Center for American Progress outlined how: “DAPA would result in a cumulative gross domestic product, or GDP, increase of $164 billion, an $88 billion increase in incomes for all Americans, and create 20,538 jobs per year over the next 10 years. Moreover, DAPA would result in payroll tax increases of $16.7 billion over five years.”

NCLR compiled tweets from fellow advocates supporting DAPA on May 19. See them in our blog.

NCLR blog features DACA recipient Jose Alguiluz: This week’s installment of our ‘Living the American DREAM’ blog profiles a DREAMer from Honduras. When he was 15-years-old he came to the U.S. to receive medical treatment at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Montgomery College and applied for DACA once it was announced in 2012. DACA enabled Jose to fulfill his dream of becoming a nurse and since January 2014 he has been employed at Washington Adventist Hospital as a registered nurse. Jose also finds time to advocate for his fellow DREAMers and he worked to pass the Maryland DREAM Act. He also is a member of NCLR Affiliate CASA de Maryland’s Board of Directors. Jose is continuing his studies and hopes all those in his community can realize their potential through deferred action.

State Updates: 

  • This week the Nebraska legislature voted to reverse a policy denying driver’s licenses to DACA recipients. A Star Tribune article notes that Arizona and Nebraska were the only states where those granted deferred action were ineligible for licenses. The Arizona law was blocked by the court last July. DACA recipients are now eligible for a driver’s license in all fifty states.
  • Controversial Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s racial-profiling case is costing Arizona taxpayers millions of dollars. A New York Times article notes the county has already doled out $45 million and more costs are expected to materialize. Unrelated to the racial-profiling case, the county has also paid out $74 million to cover other judgments, settlements and legal fees due to lawsuits involving Arpaio and his office.

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