WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement on the denial of President Obama’s emergency stay request by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The President requested the emergency stay after a Texas federal judge filed an injunction on the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program

“In response to the obstruction of Republicans in the House of Representatives, President Obama issued executive actions that would have allowed many families to come out of the shadows. For many, this signaled a first step in ensuring families would not be separated.”

“Today’s 2-1 decision by the Fifth Circuit hurts not only those parents who are ready to enroll in DAPA, but the hundreds of DREAMERS, who have known no country but ours, and would have benefited by the expanded DACA program. It is clear that the President followed the precedent set by both Republican and Democrat Presidents for the last 50 years.”

“We must always strive for a fair and just immigration system, and that starts with continuing the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. We cannot accept anything less, not without risking the core principles of our country.”