How the Supreme Court May Change the Future of US Undocumented Immigration Jennalee Beazley - Council on Hemispheric Affairs
go to original June 17, 2016

Dozens of transgender women, including asylum seekers who have come to the United States seeking protection from abuse in their home countries, are locked up in jails or prison-like immigration detention centers across the country. Many have been subjected to sexual assault and ill-treatment in detention, while others are held in indefinite solitary confinement. (HumanRightsWatch)

By the end of the month the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to make a decision on the U.S. v Texas case. In this case Texas and 25 other states are suing the federal government to stop the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and to stop the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs.

These programs could benefit the lives of over 3.7 million undocumented immigrants and their families by providing financial stability through work authorization and by securing the mental well-being of those involved by removing the constant fear of deportation. Additionally, this lawsuit calls into question whether President Obama overstepped his power with executive action.

Hence, this decision will set a precedent for the power of future executive actions and it will potentially fuel fear for possible increased illegal immigration.

It is important to consider this case in the context of U.S. –Mexico- Latin American relations because of the 11.4 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Approximately 8.5 million, or 74 percent, are from Mexico, Central America, or South America. Given the amount of people these programs will impact, this decision will be monumental for the current and future status of immigration reform.

Read the rest at Council on Hemispheric Affairs

Related: This Is What Happens When the U.S. Outsources Border Security to Mexico (MSNBC)

Related: How Trump Has Managed to Dumb Down the Immigration Debate (AlterNet)

Related: What It's Like to Return to Mexico, from the Perspectives of Three Kids Who Grew Up North of the Border (PRI's The World)

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