BROWNSVILLE, TX / GRAND JUNCTION, CO — A federal district court today blocked the implementation of the immigration initiatives announced by President Obama last year, which would allow millions of immigrants to come forward and apply for deportation relief and work authorization.

The first phase of initiatives, which affect undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, is scheduled to be implemented beginning February 18. Applications for the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) initiative is scheduled to go into effect in May. 

The following is a statement of Nelly García, Vice-President of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition based in Grand Junction, CO:

“Today’s decision reeks of partisan politics and back door tactics to confuse and play games with the lives of millions of new American families, workers and students who are anxiously awaiting the roll out of the new immigration actions. The court ruling is out of touch with the mainstream legal opinions and precedents, and contradicts the majority of public opinion, which supports the actions President Obama took to fix the broken immigration system and keep families together."

"We hope and expect that the court injunction will be very temporary. The Department of Justice should act swiftly in seeking a reversal of this decision in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. We are confident that the courts will ultimately agree with the majority of legal experts, local and state leaders, and law enforcement community who believe that the President's immigration initiatives are fully compliant with the law and strengthen our society, the economy, and millions of families."

"It appears that the strategy of the opposition in seeking the judge's injunction ruling is to intimidate and confuse millions of new Americans. The immigrant community in Colorado will not be intimidated or deterred."

"We will continue our preparation work so that all eligible individuals are ready to submit their applications as soon as the programs go into effect. We will work with the community to continue preparing for implementation by gathering documents that serve as proof of eligibility, saving money for application expenses, and staying informed."

"During this immediate period of delay and beyond, we demand that the Obama Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, be accountable to their promise not to detain or deport individuals that could qualify for the immigration executive actions. Protecting immigrant families during this temporary delay will be critical to the success of the overall program once implemented in the future."