Blumenthal enters Supreme Court immigration case

Connecticut will be front and center before the U.S. Supreme Court this year via the presence of its senior senator in an election-year-charged immigration case.

The Supreme Court said recently it will review the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling blocking implementation of two Obama administration initiatives: the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents ”“ known as DAPA ”“ and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, called DACA.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in a prepared statement he is going to bat for what he sees as “common-sense immigration policy.” He will lead a brief to the Supreme Court arguing against the Fifth Circuit Court”™s stand.

“I am pleased the Supreme Court will review the Fifth Circuit”™s ruling on President Obama”™s executive actions on immigration,” Blumenthal said. “The (Fifth Circuit) Court”™s incorrect and inhumane ruling was an attack not just on the basic principles of administrative law, but on millions of immigrant families.

“Having reviewed existing law, I believe the president”™s actions are within his authority,” Blumenthal said. “I am convinced that they will bolster the American economy, create jobs at home, end the exploitation of powerless undocumented workers, and make us all safer by allowing millions of immigrants out of the shadows.

“I will be leading a brief to the Supreme Court explaining how the Fifth Circuit”™s ruling undermines common-sense immigration policy and threatens the Executive Branch”™s ability to work. The Supreme Court should allow President Obama to focus on deporting felons, not families.”