Continuing the fight for immigration reform

The deadlock in the U.S. Supreme Court over President Obama’s executive orders on immigration reform was a major setback for millions of immigrant families here in New York and across the country – but it’s not the end of our fight for justice.

In fact, it is simply a new beginning.

The Supreme Court’s inability to reach a favorable decision in United States v. Texas effectively continues a lower court block on the president’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), and the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

This vote leaves millions of American children and their parents living in the shadows, fearing deportation and facing the unbearable pain of being ripped away from their families. The ruling – or lack thereof – prolongs the hardship for so many families who only want to improve their lives through work and study. This cruel and unjust decision denies these mothers, fathers and children the opportunities we cherish as part of the American Dream.

It affects an estimated 5 million people in the United States and some 329,000 here in New York – and it hurts the local economies where these families live. An analysis by the Center for American Progress estimated that the GDP in New York state would increase by $16.1 billion if those eligible for DAPA and expanded DACA were able to receive legal work permits. The same study found that the total GDP across the country would grow by $230 billion.

The majority of our union’s 155,000 members nationwide were born outside of the United States and are from more than 60 countries around the world. They live and work with immigrants of all stripes and know how harmful it is for families with members who are undocumented immigrants to have to live in fear of being separated, or to have to accept dead-end, low-wage jobs, which often don’t provide proper health and safety protections.

This must end – and we who fight on behalf of immigrants will do all we can to do that. We will explore all legal options at our disposal, and we will not stop until every member of our community can live in dignity and without fear deportation.

And make no mistake – we all will go to the polls in this crucial election year where the differences between the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates – Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump – on immigration couldn’t be starker. Clinton is for building bridges to unite us; Trump is for building walls to further divide us.

There is little doubt this case will end up back at the Supreme Court, before a full panel of justices who can render a clear decision. As president, Clinton would likely appoint a Supreme Court justice who would recognize that the laws of our country are ones that are compassionate and fair toward immigrants. Trump would name one who likely would not, much to the glee of extremists in his party.

It is unfortunate that this process will take a fairly long time, but we must continue to be at the forefront in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a humane and sensible solution for millions of people who have already contributed so much to our country.

After all, that is truly the American way.

Hector Figueroa is president of 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union.