EFE
By Jorge Mederos
May 19, 2015
Groups of immigrants on Tuesday held a national action day on which they asked for the support of legislators and local governments to unblock the executive action taken by President Barack Obama that would have benefited thousands of undocumented parents starting today.
Throughout the day, the groups staged demonstrations, delivered petitions, held vigils in front of government buildings and press conferences in 33 cities in 20 states to demand that a lawsuit presented by 26 states accusing the president of abusing his executive authority be withdrawn.
The suit led to an injunction blocking implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA, that should have entered into force on Tuesday.
Also suspended is the expansion of Deferred Action, or DACA, for young undocumented foreigners brought to this country as children, while its legality is determined.
In Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of members of the Coalition for Immigrant Justice held a "digital action day," making telephone calls and sending messages to Gov. Robert Bentley and state Attorney General Luther Strange to get them to withdraw their support for the lawsuit.
It is estimated that in Alabama Obama's executive measures could have benefited some 25,000 immigrants.
In addition, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi supported a similarly ill-intentioned lawsuit, according to pro-immigrant groups who demanded the reinstatement of the president's executive measures.
They said that some 250,000 Florida residents could have benefited from those blocked programs.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, demonstrators gathered in front of Gov. Pat McCrory's mansion to demand that he not support the lawsuit.
The protests also reaffirmed the willingness of pro-immigrant groups to continue preparations for the eventual entry into force of the temporary relief programs.
In California, activists launched the Ready California campaign in a state calculated to have the largest number - 1.35 million - of people eligible to benefit from Obama's moves.
In Illinois, pro-immigrant groups, lawmakers and business representatives reaffirmed that the state is ready to help register some 280,000 eligible undocumented foreigners for the benefit programs.
Gathering at the Erie Neighborhood House facilities in the neighborhood of West Town, Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin said that the Republican court action was "unfortunate," adding that it was "destructive and desperate," since it had left millions of immigrants in limbo and in suspense as to their status.
"It's just a question of time" until the judicial injunction is lifted, said Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez.
Both DACA and DAPA offer undocumented migrants renewable work permits good for three years, access to Social Security cards and driver's licenses in the states that allow it.
The Mi Familia Vota organization mobilized in cities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Florida.
Eduardo Sainz, the coordinator of the organization in Tucson, Arizona, told Efe that the community "has not remained silent" in the face of the lawsuit, and in fact the organization had continued registering voters in six states for the 2016 presidential elections.
"The citizen children of those millions of parents who have not been able to benefit from DAPA are going to vote, and to know well who supported them," he said.
Other groups who participated in the national action day included America's Voice, United We Dream, Unite Here and dozens of unions and civic organizations.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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