Douglas T. Stump, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) responded to news reports that President Obama has delayed the completion of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) review of deportation policy until August:
“If House Republicans were waiting for an invitation to get immigration reform done, they just received an engraved one. With Obama’s announcement, the White House is giving even more time for Congress to act long after many thought that window should be slammed shut and executive action be taken.
“To me, this delay of administrative action is the White House saying, ‘let’s get this done now, once and for all.’ And it gives me some hope that immigration reform could happen if Congress steps forward instead of sitting back.
“But that doesn’t mean families, businesses, and our communities aren’t hurting every day that there is more delay. Nearly a year has gone by since the Senate passed its immigration reform bill, and months since the House Republican leadership released their set of principles. But if Congress can’t bring itself to act this summer, and we’re still where we started, the Administration will need to take action to reform enforcement practices, offer affirmative relief from deportation, and address the imbalance in immigration adjudications.
“Reforming our immigration laws to fit the current and future needs of our country is the rational and sensible thing to do. House leadership needs to acknowledge that and use this time to do what is right for our country.”
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.
