FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JUNE 23, 2016
Steve Moon
(773)597-8024
smoon@advancingjustice-chicago.org
ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN SUPREME COURT’S FAILURE TO ALLOW IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENT’S IMMIGRATION RELIEF PROGRAMS
In a 4-4 decision today by the U.S. Supreme Court, the President’s executive actions for immigration relief remain blocked.
“The Supreme Court today failed to act on the opportunity to allow implementation of vital relief programs for nearly 5 million people, including more than 400,000 Asian American immigrants,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. “We are disappointed in their split decision, which further underscores the need to have nine Justices on the Supreme Court.”
Although the Supreme Court’s decision prevents the new programs from being implemented, it is important to remember that the original DACA program created in 2012 has not been affected. Those individuals eligible for the original DACA should continue to apply, whether for the first time or renewal.
“Today’s disappointing non-decision illustrates the need for immigration reform that prioritizes families and stops deportations,” said Tuyet Le, Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “We still encourage those in Illinois who are DACA eligible to connect with organizations in the Asian American and Arab American Collaborative on Deferred Action (A4CDA) in order to apply.”
Organizations in A4CDA include:
- Arab American Action Network (AAAN)
- Alliance of Filipino Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE)
- Chinese American Service League (CASL)
- Korean American Community Services (KACS)
- Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC)
- South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI)
# # #
Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliation’s members are: Advancing Justice-AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), Advancing Justice-Chicago, and Advancing Justice-Los Angeles.