Press Releases

Today U.S. Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will review the Texas-led challenge (U.S. V. Texas, et al.) to the President's executive immigration actions --Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

"We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear this case. We are confident the Court will see through the dubious legal and procedural arguments by lower courts and find the President's actions fully comport with U.S. immigration law and the Constitution. Permitting these programs to move forward will provide an important measure of certainty for millions of Americans and their immigrant families. 

"DAPA and expanded DACA are common-sense, lawful exercises of executive discretion, just like actions taken by prior presidents of both parties for decades, including Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.

"We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will issue its decision upholding these actions before the current term ends in June.  Hard working immigrant families have waited long enough for stability and the opportunity to come out of the shadows. Today’s Supreme Court moved us one step closer to the relief they so desperately need."

Background:

DAPA would allow certain immigrant parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to register with the government, undergo a background check, and work without fear of deportation.  Expanded DACA provides the same protections to those who were brought to the United States as children and are Americans in every way but on paper.  Rep. Lofgren led 184 members of the House of Representatives and 34 Senators on an amicus brief in support of the Supreme Court granting review citing that “the significance of this to Congress’s ability to ensure rational, effective, and efficient enforcement of federal law by executive agencies cannot be overstated.”

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