On January 19, 2016, the United States Supreme Court accepted the Obama administration’s request to review the question as to the validity of the Immigration expansion program. Throughout President Obama’s campaigns, he made numerous promises to try to “fix” the United States immigration system. In November 2014, President Obama announced that he would use his Presidential Executive power to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to include more people who came to the United States as children. He wanted to remove the age cap so that people over age 31 could apply, allow people who entered before January 10, 2010 to apply, and increase the length of employment authorization from 2-3 years.
In addition, and more excitingly, he wanted to introduce a new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program, which would allow parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (children with green cards) who have lived peacefully and without problem in the United States for at least five years to apply for a renewable, temporary status with employment authorization.
Very quickly, however, several states filed a lawsuit challenging President Obama’s power to make these decisions. Over the past year, these issues have been fought in several courts. Unfortunately, the courts have blocked the executive actions on immigration. However, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has accepted the request to hear the case, there is a chance that they will side with President Obama’s administration and decide that the prior actions were legal and should be enforced.
Although nothing can be stated with certain, the immigration attorneys at Shapiro Law, PC are hopeful that President Obama’s immigration reform will be enforced by the U.S. Supreme Court. Should you feel that you may be eligible for either the expanded DACA program or the new DAPA program, please contact the Immigration Division at Shapiro Law, PC for a free consultation.
Vivian Salib Crowell, Esq.