FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2024
CONTACT:
Yanci Nuñez | ynunez@alianzaamericas.org (773) 638-4278
Alianza Americas, a network of organizations led by immigrants of Latin American and Caribbean origin in the United States, condemns the legal suit led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, 15 other states governed by the Republican party, and America First, led by Stephen Miller. The suit seeks to stop the “Keeping Families Together” or Parole in Place program, which began receiving applications last Monday, August 19. The program aims to grant permission for spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to stay in the country.
“As it has been the case with most legal challenges filed by these states, with Texas as their leader, on matters related to immigrants and immigration, this move is profoundly racist and deeply xenophobic. The 16 states behind this legal challenge are taking a firm stand against family unity. This demand ignores the fact that the protection of the unity of the family is both a value and human right, applicable to all persons, without regard to nationality or immigration status,” said Oscar Chacón, Executive Director of Alianza Americas. “This is a blatantly anti-Mexican move, as it is well known that many of the potential beneficiaries of this program are Mexican nationals.”
The main arguments for this lawsuit are all found within the U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). However, the government's executive branch has plenty of discretion regarding how to grant parole on a case-by-case basis. “Contrary to the arguments raised in this lawsuit, all potential program beneficiaries must apply on a case-by-case basis. The outcome of such applications will depend on the individual merits of each case. The IIRIRA is an archaic piece of legislation that should have been repealed long ago, as it is largely based on the notion of immigrants as a threat to the nation, which is simply a blatant lie,” concluded Chacón.
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Alianza Americas is the premier transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations working in the United States, across the Americas, and globally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America.
