On February 17, 2015, U.S. district Judge Andrew Hanen imposed an injunction on President Obama’s immigration executive action, preventing the implementation of the expanded DACA and upcoming DAPA application processes, which would have potentially given temporary immigration relief to millions of undocumented immigrants.
Judge Hanen’s decision is the result of a case brought by 26 states alleging that the President had exceeded his powers with executive orders. This Wednesday, the Administration asked Judge Hanen to decide by Monday, March 9, 2015, whether he will put his prior decision, to block the White House’s executive orders on immigration, on hold or in the alternative, limit it to Texas.
Judge Hanen has a history of similar anti immigration rulings and it is unlikely he will rule in the Administration’s favor, or limit the impact of his ruling to Texas. Regardless, the Administration’s approach requires a response and will, at a minimum, force Judge Hanen, to defend his decision.
In the interim, if you are an applicant who comes within the purview of the expanded DACA or DAPA, continue to collect the documents necessary for applying and stay tuned for updates.
