No Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2014, Executive Actions Imminent

Contributed by Aaron Hall, Partner

After months of languishing in the House of Representatives with only the occasional flicker of hope, it appears that the prospect of immigration reform is officially dead for 2014.

The Obama Administration has announced that by the end of the summer, it would be implementing a new serious of executive actions.  In the summer of 2012, the administration implemented the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as an executive action.  It is unclear if this summer’s policy changes will include an expansion of the DACA program or whether they will be different in scope and purpose.

According to a Politico article, the White House acknowledges the risks of turning to executive authority and knows that many will complain that it has gone too far while many others will feel like it has not done enough.  The administration has not released any specific plans but has stated that it plans to “go as far as we think is good policy and is permitted under the law.”

See the Politico Article here.