FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TYLER, TEXAS – Justice Action Center and Make The Road New York announced a motion to intervene in Texas v. DHS, the federal lawsuit filed last week by Texas and other states aiming to block the new Keeping Families Together (KFT) process.
Justice Action Center and Make The Road New York have filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and 11 directly impacted individuals who have applied for the Keeping Families Together process. This motion to intervene seeks to ensure that their voices and perspectives are heard by the court and beyond.
A recording of today’s press call is HERE and quotes from speakers are below.
“Texas has a troubling habit of claiming harm in any immigrant-inclusive measure with which they disagree, even if the facts show the opposite is true and the process would bring countless benefits to the state and its residents,” said Karen Tumlin, Founder and Director of Justice Action Center. “We filed a Motion to Intervene today because Texas should not be able to decide the fates of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens and their immigrant spouses without confronting their reality.”
“The federal government has for a long time had the power to parole people into the country, and it has used that power to advance different public interests,” said Harold Solis, Co-Legal Director for Make The Road New York. “[The] Keeping Families Together parole process is another common-sense use of that existing law to ensure, as the name implies, that families remain together and are spared the unnecessary harm of being separated from their loved ones and their communities.”
“If I’m granted parole, the first thing I’ll do is hug my children, because then I’ll know that I’ll have the certainty that I’ll be there to put them to bed every night,” said Rico Ocampo, potential intervenor and Organizing Director for Make The Road Nevada. “I’ll be able to breathe easier knowing that my wife, Jessika, won’t have to carry the burden of carrying our family alone. And for the first time, I envision a future where I can buy a home and make plans – long-term plans – with my family.”
“I wish everyone could see that my wife and I are just like every other married couple you know,” said Oscar Silva, potential intervenor. “We want to be able to live knowing that the life we’re building won’t be taken away from us. The Keeping Families Together parole process would make that a reality.”
“Keeping Families Together is a life-changing opportunity for a slice of our community, and we’re proud to fight back against the immoral courtroom attack against it,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director for Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “We see the decision by the state of Texas to try to stop this process via litigation as lacking in humanity and attacking our American values that protect families. These families include U.S. citizen children who also deserve a process that allows them to safeguard the certainty that their fathers and mothers will be there to take care of them.”
Please reach out to jac@berlinrosen.com if you would like to schedule a follow-up interview with attorneys or intervenors about this lawsuit.
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Justice Action Center (JAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to address unmet needs, empower clients, and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants in the U.S.
Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. We have 27,000+ members and operate five community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island; and White Plains, Westchester County.