Shaheen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling in U.S. v. Texas

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in US v. Texas, a case addressing the Obama Administration’s Executive Order creating the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and expanding the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“Families shouldn’t live in fear that at a moment’s notice a father, mother or child could be separated from their loved ones,” said Shaheen. “The Supreme Court’s order today is extremely disappointing and demonstrates why having only eight justices on our nation’s highest court hurts our country. This order ignores the clear intent of Congress to grant the executive branch the discretion to establish and enforce immigration policy. Our country is at its strongest when we are open, inclusive and embrace all people. DAPA and expanded DACA would be good for families, our communities, and our economy and I am deeply disappointed that partisan opposition has prevented these initiatives from going forward. It’s now up to us in Congress to work together to advance immigration policies that will keep families together and strengthen our nation.”

Senator Shaheen signed on to an Amicus Brief in the case, alongside more than 30 Senators and 180 Members of the House of Representatives, in support of DAPA and expanded DACA in December 2015.