Groups Will Swiftly Appeal to the Fifth Circuit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TYLER, TEXAS – A federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas has denied Justice Action Center and Make the Road New York’s motion to intervene on behalf of 11 directly impacted individuals and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) who have applied for the Keeping Families Together (KFT) parole process. In response, attorneys who represent the defendant intervenors issued the following statements, announcing their intention to swiftly appeal the decision in the 5th Circuit:
“The families at the heart of this case deserve to have their voices heard in our judicial system. Our clients are husbands, mothers, coworkers, and neighbors who only want to stay in this country with their loved ones. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to them and others like them across the country so that they can stay and thrive in the country they call home,” said Harold Solis, Co-Legal Director for Make The Road New York.
“Hundreds of thousands of families, including our clients, will be directly impacted by the outcome of this lawsuit. They have lived in fear of separation for years, and deserve more than anyone to have their voices heard in the courtroom and beyond,” Karen Tumlin, Founder and Director of Justice Action Center. “Make no mistake: We will not be silenced. While this decision is disappointing, it will not deter us or our clients. We will appeal to ensure that the perspectives of those families who stand to benefit from the Keeping Families Together process have a voice in the courts that decide the legality of the program.”
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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.