On Thursday, June 23, the Supreme Court announced a deadlocked decision that affected President Obama’s administrative program commonly referred to as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and its companion program that would have expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). In the 4-4 disappointing tie, the deadlocked decision blocks a plan that would affect an estimate of five million undocumented immigrants.
“The Supreme Court has dealt, yet another blow to immigrants, cutting off relief for millions”- Carl Luscombe of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
“We’re deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court sided with states and opportunistic politicians who continue to dehumanize undocumented communities. These programs would have protected close to 5 million people from deportation. While this ruling is not what we wanted, we are not deterred and will continue to organize and mobilize our communities against the deportation machine because our lives and those of our loved ones depend on it. To our undocumented sisters and brothers we say, ‘Never give up. We will continue to fight alongside you and will not rest until every single one of our undocumented communities is safe and able to live without fear”- Nayely Perez-Huerta, Co-Director of the Southeast Immigrant Rights Network.
There are resources and actions from groups who have been and will continue to organize for the rights of immigrant families across our region and the nation.
https://action.mijente.net/petitions/no-dapa-no-deportations-1?source=facebook-share-button <Petition for No Dapa, No Deportations.
http://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/ <Statement from Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition
http://blackalliance.org/DACA_BlkImms/ Statement from Black Alliance for Just Immigration on how the decision affects Black Immigrants
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ARfY0D9WqSq9d0l92d3eOvNOxbRPQuBXSXxNFRi69oA/viewform?c=0&w=1 <Register for a national call July 7th, 2016 for A Kinship Action Call – Beyond DACA/DAPA- Taking Action for Black Immigrants – 2pm Pacific/ 5pm Eastern
http://seirn.squarespace.com/press-releases-statements/ <Statement from Southeast Immigrant Rights Network.
https://weareakin.wordpress.com/2016/06/23/press-release-akin-deplores-supreme-court-decision/ <Statement from Allies of Knoxville Immigrant Neighbors.
We stand united against the racist and white supremacist policies and actions. If there are ways that Highlander staff, board, and family can support please contact us.