Hoyer Statement on 5th Circuit Court Decision on the President's Executive Actions on Immigration

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals released their decision on President Obama's executive actionson immigration: 

“I am disappointed with the 5th Circuit Court decision today to continue preventing the start of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs, but I remain confident that the President’s actions to prevent immigrant parents and children from being separated from each other by deportation are lawful.  This partisan and costly lawsuit would be wholly unnecessary if Republicans were to take responsibility for fixing our broken immigration system by working with Democrats to pass bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation. 

“The President launched the DAPA and expanded DACA programs last year because the House Republican Majority chose not to act.  Congress ought to take bipartisan action to keep families together and create a pathway to citizenship for those who are already playing an important role in our economy and in building a stronger future for America.”