SCOTUS Hears A Case That Affects Millions Of Undocumented Immigrants

An eight-member Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in a landmark case that may rewrite President Barack Obama’s legacy, the current election cycle and the fate of millions of families fearing separation from their U.S.-born children. The Administration argues that this will allow the government to focus immigration priorities on deporting criminals and avoiding breaking up otherwise law-abiding families.

In November 2014, President Obama issued a series of memos declaring executive actions on immigration, the issue being explored. The 90-minute hearing in United States v. Texas tests the legality of the relief programs, which have been on hold for more than a year as a result of a conservative challenge from Texas and 25 other states. The states joining Texas in opposition are lead by Republican governors. The states and cities supporting the Obama Administration on deferred action are lead by Democrats. Though not that long ago, some measure of deferred action for minors, had bipartisan support, positions have shifted due to the anti-immigrant rhetoric in politics.

"As the Supreme Court considers the lawsuit blocking President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, our country should wonder why Republicans are playing games with the lives of millions of hard-working immigrants," says Juan Escalante, “DACA” advocate and the director of digital campaigns at America’s Voice.

If the court rules for the Obama administration on one or more of these points and lifts the hold on the programs, as many as 3.7 million undocumented immigrants could gain a postponement from deportation and become eligible, under existing law, for temporary work authorization. A ruling for the president could also shift the Presdent's perception as a deporter-in-chief among families caught up in raids and deported despite not posing a threat to public safety. This would allow him to leave office a champion of immigrant rights.