May 26, 2015

Las Vegas, NV – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District released the following statement today in response to a federal appeals court decision to maintain a hold on the President’s executive action to provide deportation relief to as many as 5 million qualified undocumented men and women.  The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled today in a 2-1 decision to reject the federal government’s request to lift the hold on the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program, originally halted in a ruling issued by U.S. District Court Judge Hanen in February.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to lift the hold preventing the federal government from implementing key protections for undocumented families. This has been a long process for eligible parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, who have been ready to apply for deportation relief under DAPA since the President’s Executive Actions were announced last year. The federal appeals court’s decision leaves thousands of eligible families in Las Vegas at risk of being torn apart by the deportation process. 

“I remain confident that the courts will overturn the original politically motivated decision and allow this important program to move forward. In the meantime, Congress should immediately consider comprehensive immigration reform legislation so families across the country and in Nevada can come out of the shadows, legally work and go to school, and contribute to the only community they call home.”