Almost two years ago, the President announced new commonsense deferred action policies for some parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents--and more DREAMers. Yesterday morning, a little over an hour after the Supreme Court released its decision on the case that challenged these policies, United States v. Texas , President Obama delivered remarks from the Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House.
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In his remarks, the President reiterated that the Supreme Court's decision does not affect young people who have received DACA under the 2012 policy: “Four years ago, we announced that those who are our lowest priorities for enforcement -- diligent, patriotic young DREAMers who grew up pledging allegiance to our flag -- should be able to apply to work here and study here and pay their taxes here. More than 730,000 lives have been changed as a result. These are students, they’re teachers, they’re doctors, they’re lawyers. They’re Americans in every way but on paper. And fortunately, today’s decision does not affect this policy. It does not affect the existing DREAMers.”
He stressed that the current enforcement priorities guidance also remains in place: “Enforcement priorities developed by my administration are not affected by this ruling. This means that the people who might have benefitted from the expanded deferred action policies -- long-term residents raising children who are Americans or legal residents -- they will remain low priorities for enforcement….[But today’s decision] is heartbreaking for the millions of immigrants who’ve made their lives here, who’ve raised families here, who hoped for the opportunity to work, pay taxes, serve in our military, and more fully contribute to this country we all love in an open way.”
The President also reiterated how the Supreme Court's 4-4 ruling in this case highlights why Senate Republicans should hold hearings and a timely vote for his nominee to the Supreme Court, Chief Judge Merrick Garland: "The Court’s inability to reach a decision in this case is a very clear reminder of why it’s so important for the Supreme Court to have a full bench. For more than 40 years, there’s been an average of just over two months between a nomination and a hearing. I nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court more than three months ago. But most Republicans so far refuse to even meet with him. They are allowing partisan politics to jeopardize something as fundamental as the impartiality and integrity of our justice system. And America should not let it stand.”
The President closed by affirming his belief that comprehensive immigration reform will get done: “I promise you this, though -- sooner or later, immigration reform will get done. Congress is not going to be able to ignore America forever. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. And I can say that with confidence because we've seen our history. We get these spasms of politics around immigration and fear-mongering, and then our traditions and our history and our better impulses kick in. That's how we all ended up here. Because I guarantee you, at some point, every one of us has somebody in our background who people didn’t want coming here, and yet here we are.”
So while yesterday's decision is heartbreaking and devastating, we know that the law and history are on our side. We know that we need to continue to organize and fight alongside each and every one of you in support of our immigrant brothers and sisters!
Sí Se Puede!
Julie
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Julie Rodriguez
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Deputy Director
The White House | Office of Public Engagement
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THE WHITE HOUSE 
