As Boston Mayor Marty Walsh stood at Faneuil Hall on May 26 to speak in support of President Obama's executive action on immigration, a federal appeals court announced its decision to deny the Obama administration's request to lift a hold on those actions. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift the temporary hold on the programs imposed in February by a district judge in Texas, Andrew Hanen.

The programs were made possible through executive action ordered by President Barack Obama. The appeals court ruled 2-1 against the administration. The decision arises from a lawsuit filed by 26 states opposing the programs, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents). The lawsuit did not challenge a more limited form of DACA that Obama authorized in 2012.

"Seventy-five percent of Americans want immigration reform — not 75% of Massachusetts, not 75% of Bostonians, 75% of all Americans," said Mayor Walsh in his strong statement at Faneuil hall. "This isn't a Republican or a Democratic issue — it goes to the bedrock of American values. It's taken too long for legislative solutions. That's why I support President Obama's immigration action."

We are very disappointed at the court's decision delaying implementation, but not in the least bit deterred by it," said Eva Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, a co-sponsor of the upcoming clinic. "We will continue to fight to uphold the right of President Obama to take executive action to provide relief for millions of men, women and children who have lived too long in the shadows."