Detention Watch Network Disappointed by SCOTUS Decision, Reflects on Critical Flaws in Executive Actions

For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Statement from Danny Cendejas, Organizing Director of Detention Watch Network, on news that the United States Supreme Court did not reach a majority decision, blocking the implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA):

Washington, DC – “The U.S. Supreme Court’s inability to reach a decision today leaves the lives of millions hanging in the balance. As a result, immigrants will continue to be targeted by the unjust detention and deportation machine fueled by unconstitutional raids and police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaboration.

With today’s disappointing announcement, we reflect on President Obama’s 2014 executive actions, which did not safeguard undocumented and documented immigrants with criminal convictions and instead put a target on their back. Excluding those who already completed state-imposed punishment and by ignoring the urgent demands for detention reforms, the President’s executive actions never went far enough.

With today’s ruling, people will still be subject to the inhumane detention system – putting their lives in jeopardy. It’s plain and simple; the U.S. government must end its reliance on immigration detention.”

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Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to expose and challenge the injustices of the United States’ immigration detention and deportation system and advocate for profound change that promotes the rights and dignity of all persons. Founded in 1997 by immigrant rights groups, DWN brings together advocates to unify strategy and build partnerships on a local and national level to end immigration detention. Visit www.detentionwatchnetwork.org. Follow @DetentionWatch.