Speech #1140086267

President. today the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas. This case is a challenge to President Obamas Executive actions to prioritize U.S. immigration enforcement. In 2012. the President used his legal authority to establish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. or DACA. DACA has given nearly 700.000 undocumented young people the opportunity to come out of the shadows to pursue their dreams through education and jobs. In 2014. again acting within existing legal authority. the President announced an expansion of the successful DACA Program. He also created a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents Program. or DAPA. DAPA allows the undocumented parents of U.S.-born and legal permanent resident children. the majority of whom are U.S. citizens. to stay in this country with their families. Together. the expanded DACA and DAPA were expected to enable nearly 5 million people to come out of the shadows without fear of deportation. Unfortunately. Texas and 25 other States have challenged the Presidents authority to issue these Executive orders. resulting in the Supreme Court hearing today.