LOS ANGELES—Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today that, as part of the Cities United for Immigration Action coalition he has led with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, 84 cities and counties filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to lift an injunction blocking President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration. Drafted by the Los Angeles City Attorney and the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, the amicus brief makes a strong case for support of lifting the injunction on public safety, economic, and humanitarian grounds.
“National, state, and local leaders across the country are asking the Supreme Court to review the decision in Texas v. United States because we have a special understanding of how generations of immigrants have contributed to the foundation of our cities and the strength of our nation,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Partisan politics should not stand in the way of doing what is right for families who simply want to stay together. These are true American values, and it is our obligation to do all we can to preserve and protect family bonds.”
A key provision in the President’s Executive Actions last November would shield millions from deportation by granting protections to immigrant parents whose children are American citizens or green card-holders. Texas v. United States was brought by a coalition of states seeking to block that action, and last month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an injunction halting implementation of President Obama’s directive. The Department of Justice has filed a petition requesting the Supreme Court to review the lower court ruling; the amicus brief filed today supports that petition.
The coalition’s efforts dovetail with Mayor Garcetti’s strong commitment to municipal action on immigration issues, as Los Angeles looks to better serve local immigrant populations. In 2013, Mayor Garcetti re-established the Office of Immigrant Affairs. This office creates programs and initiatives to support immigrant integration in the City of Los Angeles through coordination of city services, outreach, and legislative advocacy.
