Cecilia Munoz, the domestic policy director for the White House, says the United States deserves permanent immigration reform. Her comments came on Friday during an interview with EFE on the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s executive action on the issue, which remains in limbo in the courts.
“What this country deserves is permanent reform and that is solely in the hands of Congress,” Munoz, who was born in Bolivia, explained. “Meanwhile, this president will continue to do what he can.” Munoz added that the battle for immigration reform must continue, even if the permanent changes needed are currently “in the hands of Congress”. On Friday the Obama administration officially appealed to the Supreme Court to try to put into effect its efforts to protect around five million undocumented immigrants from the threat of deportation.
The Supreme Court has been asked to revoke the injunction against the president’s executive orders that the 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals, which is based in New Orleans, handed down around two weeks ago. This was after 26 states, most of which are Republican, launched a legal request.
Munoz says the administration is “asking for action and an answer” and hopes the Supreme Court will give its decision before the end of June 2016. New House speaker Paul Ryan has made it clear that Congress will not work on the issue with a president he believes to be untrustworthy.