A number of community organizations have reacted sharply to the U.S. Supreme Court’s deadlocked decision on comprehensive immigration reform, describing the split judgment as disappointing that would have an adverse impact on immigrants.
They said that the impact of the stalemate will put tremendous pressure on community organizations like Apna Ghar, Indo-American Center and Chicago Desi Youth Rising who provide direct services or advocacy to immigrant communities.
In a statement these groups that are part of the Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition said that the June 23 Supreme Court judgment has effectively blocked President Barack Obama’s immigration executive actions like DACA and DAPA from taking effect. “The Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition is saddened that the Supreme Court failed to uphold DACA and DAPA, that are lawful and constitutional executive actions taken by President Obama,” the statement said.
“The U.S. Supreme Court deadlock means that countless American citizens will remain in fear of being separated from their families and the people whom they love. The Supreme Court had an opportunity to provide clarity and guidance for the nation. Instead, they have failed to act compounding Congress’s failure to pass meaningful immigration reform.
“It is critical for South Asian communities to push for comprehensive immigration reform in the future and this deadlock shows the importance of holding the Senate accountable for restoring the Supreme Court to its full complement of nine justices as well as electing officials who represent and speak for vulnerable populations,” said Reema Kapur, executive director of SAAPRI.
“This unsatisfying outcome underscores the importance of a nine-member Supreme Court and the urgent necessity for Congress to take up immigration reform,” said Tejas Shah, immigration attorney at Franczek Radelet P.C. and the current co-chair of the South Asian Bar Association of North America immigration committee.
“I’m very disappointed by the outcome. We need to mobilize—every person who is disturbed by this decision needs to do everything they can to get out the vote. Our community, traditionally less involved in politics and less engaged, needs to become very active. There are several thousand South Asians who would have benefited from these programs,” Shah said. “Immigrant communities and allies must continue the fight for common sense immigration policy to allow every member of our community to live in dignity and safety,” Shah added.
As of 2015 there were 450,000 undocumented Indians in the United State, including about 19,000 in Illinois, making them the second-largest undocumented immigrant group in the state.
“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 in 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 in order to apply.”
Although the court’s decision prevents the new programs from being implemented, the original DACA program of 2012 has not been affected. Those individuals eligible for the original DACA should continue to apply whether for the first time or renewal.
SAAPRI is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to improve the lives of South Asian Americans in the Chicago area by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible public policy.
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