Immigrants, supporters plan Raleigh rally ahead of Supreme Court hearing

In 2014, Obama launched an executive order that would temporarily delay the deportation of more than four million undocumented immigrants. It has become known as the Deferred Actions for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Governors from Texas and 25 other states challenged the programs in a lawsuit, with intentions of blocking implementation, claiming the President overstepped his constitutional authority.

Monday at 3 p.m. in Raleigh, immigrants and their supporters will gather in front of the Governor’s Mansion, as North Carolina is one of the 26 states named in the lawsuit. The state Republican Party issued a news release in January.

“Citing long-term ramifications to public schools, health services and public safety, Governor McCrory declared President Obama’s executive order represented ‘unconstitutional overreach’,” the statement said.

The immigrant advocacy group El Pueblo are behind the event and said the lawsuit leaves millions of immigrants in a precarious situation as they await the outcome.

William Saenz said Monday will be huge for his organization.

“We hope that the Supreme Court, after the hearing, will make the right decision for families across the country,” he said.

The right decision in the eyes of El Pueblo members would be for the Supreme Court to uphold Obama’s executive order, which Saenz said has affected the life of one of his volunteers.

“She came to this country with her toddler and then she had a child here in the U.S. and basically, with having access to DAPA, that would basically mean that she can go to work and not have to fear that she’s going to be detained,” he said.

“Giving more of these kids access to just be able to have a safe home and be able to pursue their futures, that’s a huge thing for us,” he said.