What Happens Now After Immigration Ruling
hen several Republican-run W state governments decided to go after President Obama’s im-
migration policy, they were selective in where to file the case. The goal was simple: find the most reflexively anti-immigration ideologue they could find. The judge-shopping scheme worked like a charm when U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, the Republicans’ “dream judge,” got the case and made it painfully obvious that he was eager to undermine the White House. The outcome was a foregone conclusion; it was a matter of “when,” not “if.” Hanen blocked the Obama administration’s policy, preventing federal officials from implementing “any and all aspects” of the president’s executive actions protecting millions of immigrants from deportation. The preliminary injunction applies to the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent residents, better known
as DAPA, and expansions to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, both of which Obama announced in November. The policy, part of which was set to go into effect last month, would grant work permits and defer deportation of undocumented immigrant parents of U.S. citizens who’ve been living in the U.S. since 2010. The timing is important. As Ian Millhiser explained the decision “came less than two days before the federal government is scheduled to start accepting applications from immigrants seeking to benefit from the new policy,” which in turn “raises a cloud of uncertainty over the millions of immigrants expecting to seek relief under the policy.” So what happens now? Plans for people to start applying for what would essentially give them legal presence in the U.S. are put on hold. Here are some key things to know about the decision in the lawsuit that stop the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arriv-
als, DACA, and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Legal Residents, DAPA, from going into effect. -The decision does not affect applications and renewals under the 2012 DACA program. This program is open to fewer people, but still provides deportation deferrals and work permits to those who qualify. -The government is NOT taking applications for the new and larger DACA program, which is open to more people than the 2012 program. It had planned to start doing so Wednesday, but the judge's ruling put all of that on hold. -The government is fighting the decision and that could mean the programs could start again at any time. People who want to apply should be ready with documents and applications fees. -The Obama administration has said it will ask a higher court to overturn the ruling. The government could ask for an "emergency stay" that, if granted, would allow the government to start taking applications while the case continues. But the government could just appeal the ruling and that would keep the programs on hold until the appeals court rules. Either side in the lawsuit could appeal the case all the way to the Supreme Court. -The judge's decision doesn't effect the deportation priorities that the Department of Homeland Security revised last November. That means people who haven't committed crimes, haven't recently crossed the border illegally, aren't public safety or terrorism threats or don't already have orders for deportation are not high priorities for deportation.
Despite Court Ruling, Latino Leaders Confident in Executive Immigration Action
he National Hispanic LeadT ership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of
the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, condemns a ruling by the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which will temporarily prevent implementation of President Obama’s November, 2014 executive action on immigration. Despite the ruling, NHLA leaders remain confident that the actions will ultimately be upheld on the merits on appeal and urge eligible immigrants to continue gathering the documents needed in antici-
pation for the expanded DACA and DAPA programs once they are permitted to go forward. Those who already have DACA and are due to renew their status should continue to do so. “This lawsuit is pure politics and the ruling flies in the face of precedent and the opinion of a wide range of legal scholars. We are very confident that the executive action will be upheld and hope the Fifth Circuit will issue a stay that allows implementation to continue without delay. Most importantly, we encourage the millions of families that will benefit
March/marzo 2015, Vol. 9, Issue 3
from the President's executive action to not be deterred by this ruling. Justice and the rule of law will ultimately prevail over this cynical and political distraction,” said Hector Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. In 2013, NHLA launched the Latinos United for Immigration Reform campaign. Copyright 2014 by Latino Lubbock Magazine. All Rights reserved.
El Primer Bombero
Chris Hernandez, Lubbock's First Hispanic Firefighter dies
fter serving the country and A the city of Lubbock Christobal Hernandez Senior was hon-
ored one more time at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Hernandez Sr. was Lubbock Fire's first Hispanic firefighter to work in the department. "I owe this man more than I know," said Sr. Hernandez's nephew, Nicholas Gonzalez, a firefighter. "He's the one that started the tradition of firefighters in the Gonzalez/ Hernandez family." Gonzalez said his father became a firefighter in Glendale, AZ and served for over 30 years and then Hernandez Sr.'s son also serves LFD. Gonzalez said he has been serving for 10 years with the Glendale department. "Hopefully the next one will be my nephew and he will keep the tradition growing," said Gonzalez. Hernandez Sr. served the Lubbock Fire Department for 24 years, prior he worked for the
City garage. His son Chris Hernandez Jr. said his father always put others first. "It didn't matter what was going on, it was his choice to let somebody else have something first," said Hernandez Jr. "He was always doing for others no matter what." During Hernandez's homily the priest shared how Hernandez devoted a career for others and even in his time of death he's still helping others by allowing his remains to be donated to University Medical Center. Hernandez died at the age of 75 due to a heart attack. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.
TX Community Futures Forum to be held in Lubbock he Texas Community Futures T Forum is being held in Lubbock County to assist local Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension Service Agents and the Lubbock County Extension Leadership Advisory Board to identify the most critical issues affecting local citizens. Their local Extension program has a rich history of providing educational programs that address the most critical issues in the county related to Agriculture and Natural Resources, Families and Health, Youth
Development, and Community Development. In order to make sure that the programs being planned for the future are on target, Lubbock county residents are invited to participate in the Texas Community Futures Forum to be held on March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 916 Main Street, 1st Floor Meeting Room in Lubbock. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Extension office at 806-775-1740.
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