Today, litigators from the Justice Action Center (JAC), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and the Innovation Law Lab, with Sidley Austin LLP providing pro bono assistance, successfully halted implementation of the administration’s attempt to ban immigrants based on their ability to obtain health insurance upon arrival to the U.S.
The temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the U.S. District Court in Portland, OR, has stopped the federal government from implementing the policy. This is not the end of the process as the court considers the full merits of the case, Doe v. Trump, in the coming days and weeks.
Carmen Rubio, Executive Director of Latino Network, a plaintiff in the case said, “We are encouraged by the court’s decision to issue the TRO that we requested along with the other plaintiffs across the country. Today’s decision highlights the urgency of blocking this health care ban before it causes irreparable damage to our community and those we serve. We know that our fight is far from over, we will be steadfast in our work to ensure that we end family separation, ensure the dignity and rights of our community are respected, and hold this administration accountable to our nation’s constitution.”
Stephen Manning, Executive Director of Innovation Law Lab, noted, “Oregon’s and our nation’s collective prosperity depends on the rule of law; the court’s decision protects the rule of law and families across the nation by halting President Trump’s harmful proclamation.”
“We’re very grateful that the court recognized the need to block the health care ban immediately,” says Justice Action Center Senior Litigator Esther Sung, who argued at today’s hearing on behalf of the plaintiffs. “The ban would separate families and cut two-thirds of green-card-based immigration starting tonight, were the ban not stopped. It’s egregious that President Trump is attempting to flout the will of Congress and squeeze through a complete overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws without anyone noticing. Our fight will continue — we will stand with our plaintiffs and all immigrants to challenge this unjust health care ban.”
Jesse Bless, Director of Federal Litigation at AILA said, “We applaud the court’s ruling; countless thousands across the country can breathe a sigh of relief today because the court recognized the urgent and irreparable harm that would have been inflicted in the absence of a TRO. This proclamation would permanently separate families and damage employers; it is a clear violation of the constitution. The president simply does not have the authority to rewrite the law by proclamation.”
