MALDEF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO DENY REHEARING OF DAPA/DACA CASE

MALDEF

October 3, 2016

LOS ANGELES, CA - The United States Supreme Court today denied a petition to rehear United States v. Texas, a case challenging the constitutionality of President Obama's executive actions on immigration, including the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the initiation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

The petition for rehearing was filed in the wake of the Supreme Court's 4-4 non-decision in June that let stand a lower court ruling.

MALDEF represents three mothers from South Texas who were the only parties granted intervention in the case, and who intend to apply for DAPA once it is permitted to be implemented. DAPA would protect parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents from removal and permit the parents to work with legal protection.

Please attribute the following statements on today's denial to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for MALDEF.

"It is disappointing that the Court has declined to remedy its failure to do its job earlier this year when it deadlocked 4-4; its continued refusal to rule in this critical case leaves the nation in limbo about the legality of President Obama's initiative, which follows similar acts of discretion by many of his predecessors, including, most notably, Ronald Reagan," said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel.

"The mothers in this case look forward to moving the case forward in the trial court, and to defending the initiative that would provide short-term relief so they can stay with their families and care for their children," said Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for MALDEF.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the "Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights in America" MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access. For more information on MALDEF, please visit: www.maldef.org.