Press Release  AG Healey Urges Court to Lift Injunction Blocking President’s Executive Orders on Immigration

Boston —  Attorney General Maura Healey has joined a coalition of states in filing an amicus brief urging an appeals court to lift a preliminary injunction filed last month by a federal court judge in Texas that has blocked President Obama’s executive actions on immigration reform.

“President Obama’s executive orders were an important step toward fixing our broken immigration system,” AG Healey said. “That is why we are supporting the Department of Justice in its appeal and fighting for these much-needed steps to help thousands of children and families across the nation.”

In the brief  filed Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the states argue that President Obama’s actions on immigration will benefit millions of people and their families. The brief emphasizes the economic, humanitarian, and public safety benefits that the states will receive.

The states’ brief supports a motion to stay the injunction filed this week by the Department of Justice. The states argue that the injunction should be lifted because proof of “irreparable injury” was not provided and that the public’s interest is best served by allowing the President’s actions to move forward.

The brief was filed by Washington state on behalf of Massachusetts and 12 other states including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont as well as the District of Columbia.

Last month, AG Healey opposed the federal court decision granting an injunction to block the president’s executive orders, urging more actions to fix the broken immigration system, not more obstacles.

In January, the AG’s Office, along with attorneys general from 11 states and the District of Columbia, signed onto an amicus brief  in support of President Obama's executive actions, urging the federal judge not to issue a preliminary injunction.

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