Although a final judgment is not expected until June, the tenor of questioning during a Supreme Court hearing in April indicated that President Obama's plan to protect approximately four million people from deportation may be in jeopardy. According to Berd & Klauss, PLLC, a widely respected New York City-based immigration law firm, the justices seemed split on ideological grounds, which would leave in place the rulings of lower courts that blocked the signature program from going into effect.

The program in question, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), was intended to help families stay together. The program offers immunity from deportation and work permits to people who have lived in the U.S. illegally since 2010 without a criminal record and are the parents of children who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents. In a highly controversial move, President Obama enacted the program as an executive order, due to frustration with a deadlocked Congress who made no efforts toward reforming the American immigration system.

Twenty-six Republican-controlled states, led by Texas, filed suited, claiming that the executive action change to immigration law was unconstitutional and placed an undue burden on their administrations. While all four conservative justices seemed critical of the government during questioning, they may still find that the states had no ground to sue, or that some aspects of the program are allowed under the Constitution.

The attorneys at Berd & Klauss, PLLC pride themselves on their constantly updated knowledge of immigration law and their highly personalized services. For many years, clients around the world have relied on their expertise to help in almost any immigration situation, from obtaining visas to preventing deportation. Visit their website to learn more about their wide range of effective legal services, or just call (212) 461-7152 to schedule a consultation today.