DAPA / DACA Updates
Author: New York Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova
On the first date of supposed implementation, a federal Judge in Texas has blocked Obama’s immigration reform regarding parents of the U.S. citizens and permanent residents (DAPA) and new improvements to deferred action for childhood arrivals. As a result, the old DACA applications are not affected and are being processed, but the new changes are on hold. The Justice Department appealed the Judge’s decision and asked to stay his decision pending an appeal.
Immediately, 26 states represented by Governors and Attorney Generals filed a Motion in Opposition of Stay Pending Appeal, asking the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals not to stay Judge Hanen's injunction. On the opposing side, 14 states filed an amicus brief in support of the motion to stay the district court preliminary injunction requesting that that 5th Circuit lift Judge Hanen's decision.
Currently, everybody is waiting for April 17, 2015 when the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear parties’ arguments regarding the lift of the Texas Judge’s injunction. Until then, President Obama’s reform is on hold.