It has almost been a year since President Obama signed an executive order designed to allow millions of undocumented immigrants to remain in country. This plan would also have provided deportation defense to numerous individuals currently residing in California. Unfortunately, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the order, meaning those who would have qualified under Obama’s plan will have to keep looking for other ways to obtain the appropriate documents required to remain on U.S. soil.
This court ruling was handed down at the beginning of November. This is actually the second ruling on this matter. However, immigrants who could be helped by this plan are not giving up hope.
Immigrant advocacy groups are planning a number of events to celebrate President Obama’s plan and show support. They believe that, eventually, the courts will allow the plan go take effect. If it does, it is believed that 5 million of the 11.3 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the country will be granted the ability to receive work permits, achieve legal status and, eventually, have the ability to apply for citizenship.
If Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents plan ever receives the go ahead from the court system, millions will benefit from the deportation defense included in the program. Until then, undocumented immigrants living in California and elsewhere across the country can still submit immigrantion applications. While working through the immigrantion system can be quite confusing, an experienced attorney will be able to help make the experience as simple as possible.
Source: The Washington Post, “immigrantion advocates aren’t letting a court ruling on deportations get in their way”, Jerry Markon, Nov. 12, 2015