Hirono Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision To Hear Case On Immigration Executive Action

Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to hear U.S. v. Texas, a case challenging President Obama’s expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs which were announced more than a year ago.

“Today’s announcement that the Supreme Court will hear arguments on U.S. v. Texas is a step forward for the millions of undocumented immigrants who remain trapped in the shadows,” said Senator Hirono. “I believe that President Obama’s actions are within his authority, and are in line with immigration actions taken by every President since Dwight Eisenhower. I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will agree and allow the DAPA and expanded DACA programs, which would benefit more than five million children and families, to move forward. In Congress, I will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform that will overhaul our broken immigration system and keep our families together.”

In December 2015, Senator Hirono joined 33 Senators and 184 Representatives in authoring an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to upholding President Obama’s executive action. Senator Hirono was also one of the key authors of the Senate’s 2013 comprehensive immigration reform legislation.