Boston Plans Event For Immigrants, Families Impacted by Supreme Court Decision

Boston, MA - The city is hosting a free event offering legal consultation to those impacted by a tie decision in the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, as Mayor Marty Walsh expressed disappointment in the way the ruling shook out.

Justices' 4-4 split denies President Obama's effort to allow some undocumented immigrants to obtain work permits to stay in the United States, leaving a Texas court's injunction in place. It has the potential to impact millions of immigrants, including many here in Boston.

In a statement announcing the legal consultation services, Walsh weighed in.

"I am disappointed that the preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of the executive actions on immigration known as DAPA and expanded (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) remains in place," he said in a statement. "Millions of families in the United States and thousands of Bostonians have been waiting too long for some form of immigration relief. My Office for Immigrant Advancement is working with community organizations to hold a clinic in July to educate affected individuals and to determine eligibility for other forms of immigration relief."

The Supreme Court's impasse on United States v. Texas leaves a lower court's ruling in place, ending protection granted by the Obama administration for about 11 million immigrants via the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). The president wanted to allow undocumented immigrants whose children were born in the United States to apply for work permits and temporary residency.

In reaction, Walsh's office announced the free immigration legal consultation event.

It will be held on July 23, at Madison Park High School, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested individuals should call (617) 635-0008 for an appointment.

"We are disappointed that the Supreme Court's ruling continues to prevent DAPA and expanded DACA from being implemented," said Alejandra St. Guillen, Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. "Through our DACA/DAPA Outreach and Education Initiative, we are coordinating with community partners to make sure that our residents are well-informed and to prevent immigration scams. We will continue to support those who are eligible for the original version of DACA announced in 2012 to submit their applications and renewals."

Because the injunction now officially remains in effect, applications for DAPA and expanded DACA are not available. However, applications and renewals for the original version of DACA, announced in 2012, continue to be available, the city said.

>> Photo by Cliff, used through Flickr/Creative Commons