June 29, 2016 — New York, New York
AJC expressed disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 4-4 decision in Texas v. U.S., which has the effect of blocking indefinitely the implementation of President Obama’s executive action extending deportation protection to as many as five million undocumented immigrants. AJC joined in an amicus curiae brief in support of the United States.
“The high court's failure to reach a conclusive decision on the constitutionality of President Obama’s executive action is devastating for the millions of undocumented living in limbo,” said Richard Foltin, AJC Director of National and Legislative Affairs. “President Obama’s executive action would defer deportation of hard-working undocumented immigrants, grant the affected individuals legal status and work permits, and preserve families and communities—as well as afford economic benefits that would reach every part of the economy. Instead, those who would have been eligible for deferred action will continue to live in fear of deportation, and their families will likely continue to face the unconscionable threat of being torn apart," he said.
While AJC in its amicus brief argued that the executive action falls within the President’s authority, Foltin noted: “This case underscores that only Congress can provide a permanent and durable solution for our broken immigration system. It is long past time for the Administration and Congress to work together in confronting the urgent moral—and practical—need to bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. The status quo fails to address national security concerns, and does not comport with American values of respect for and defense of human dignity.”
Foltin also observed that the failure to reach a majority opinion in this case “demonstrates once again the urgency in moving to assure that the Court has its full complement of nine justices.”
