BIRMINGHAM CO-LEADS AMICUS BRIEF: UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT APPEAL ON IMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ACTION
For Immediate Release
Contact:
April Odom
Mayor’s Office of Public Information
New York City, Los Angeles, and Birmingham lead a coalition of local governments in preparing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the President’s executive action on immigration. The brief will be filed in early March.
“Our coalition will again have the opportunity to unite forces and defend the President’s executive actions on immigration by filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court. It is critical that we continue to provide the Court with the local perspectives of mayors and county leaders, as we did at three earlier points in the litigation,” said Mayor William Bell.
On January 19, 2016, the Supreme Court agreed to review a preliminary injunction blocking the nationwide implementation of the President’s executive action on immigration. The executive action provides important humanitarian relief to an estimated 4 million undocumented immigrants who have been in the country since January 2010 and who have children who are citizens or permanent residents or who came to the United States as children and meet certain educational requirements. The executive action prevents families from being split apart and harmed by allowing qualifying parents and young people who merit a favorable exercise of discretion to stay in the United States temporarily and work lawfully.
Cities and counties play a key role in explaining how local residents, families, and communities are harmed by the preliminary injunction. Earlier in the case, a coalition of cities, counties, and local government leaders filed amicus briefs in the district court (over 30 signatories), the circuit court (over 70 signatories), and the Supreme Court at the certiorari stage (over 80 signatories).
The cities of New York, Los Angeles, and Birmingham are again preparing an amicus brief supporting the executive action.
“It is crucial that the Supreme Court hear the voices of local governments as the Court prepares to review the injunction blocking the executive action. Birmingham understands the importance of standing up for civil and human rights. Our legacy of Civil Rights in this City demands that we take action,” said Mayor Bell.
Focus of the brief:
The brief will provide a powerful counterpoint to the plaintiff states’ claim of harm by outlining the immense local benefits of the executive action: promoting family unity and child welfare; strengthening local communities and economies; and encouraging open communication and engagement between residents and local authorities.
On the standing question, the brief will also argue that plaintiff states failed to represent the interests of the cities and counties (and millions of residents of those cities and counties) that support the executive action, and that a nationwide injunction was unjustified.
“The exact filing date has not been set, but we anticipate filing in early March,” continued Mayor Bell.
###
