Oregon Leaders join National Fast and Vigil to Demand the 5th Circuit Court Rule on Administrative Relief

5^th Circuit Judges are delaying on ruling that would keep families together

Portland, Oregon –Causa, Oregon’s immigrant rights organization, joins the national Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) along with directly impacted immigrant families and national leaders representing faith, labor, civil rights and the community in launching “The Fast to Keep Families Together”. Today is the start to a powerful 9 day fast and vigil on Wednesday, October 14^th outside the courthouse in New Orleans to demand the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals rule on the administrative relief case they have been sitting on for almost a year. The administrative relief programs could keep families together and provide them with temporary protections.

Aldo Solano, a local Oregon community leader from Woodburn, is among the 8 fasters in New Orleans. In response to why he chose to participate in the 9 day action, Aldo stated, “As a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient myself, I understand how important administrative relief can be for thousands of others who like me, are only trying to work hard and become productive members of society. I'm tired of politicians playing political games with the lives of immigrants who contribute so much to this country.” Aldo joins other fasters from California, Arizona, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, and New York.

In Oregon, 9 immigrant women in Salem will participate in the national fast, in solidarity with Aldo, and call on the 5^th Circuit to make a decision on administrative relief. “I’m fasting to support the group that’s fasting outside of the 5^th Circuit Court in New Orleans. It’s urgent that the court make a decision soon, and allow all of us to continue advancing” said Norma, one of the 9 women fasting from Oregon.

Three months after the final hearing on the lawsuit against DAPA and Expanded DACA, the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has failed to rule. This delay has prevented 5 million immigrants from applying for temporary relief for a year now, since the Executive Action was first released. A delay on the part of the 5th Circuit not only prevents the Supreme Court from making a final decision, but defers justice for immigrant communities.

“There is no reason to sit on this decision other than to advance the partisan political agenda of anti-immigrant leaders. Tearing families apart to advance an agenda for political reasons is unacceptable and inhumane.  Politicians and judges who stand against DAPA and DACA stand against American families and communities” said Andrea Miller, Executive Director of Causa.              

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