As part of a coalition of 73 cities and counties representing more than 43 million people, the city of Madison came out in favor of President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration which are currently stalled by a lawsuit, according to a Wednesday city press release.
Texas vs. United States, the lawsuit currently being heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, indefinitely postpones Obama’s executive orders that would potentially shield illegal immigrants from deportation across the country.
In Madison, local immigration policy has been developing over the years, mayoral aide Gloria Reyes said. Madison police, for instance, do not ask for documentation and legal status of city residents while on patrol.
“We have identified that there is sort of underlying current of people living in the shadows in the city,” Reyes said. “We recognize the need to implement policies and procedures … to ensure that our residents are able to obtain services [and] feel protected.”
Nationally, Madison will file a friend-of-the-court brief with the court on behalf of the United States’ argument, according to the release.
"I proudly stand with my fellow Mayors throughout the country in support of President Obama's executive actions on immigration that promote family stability, economic growth, and community cohesiveness," said Mayor Paul Soglin in the release. "Every President since President Eisenhower has used executive authority to provide temporary immigration relief … this is not, and should not be, a partisan issue. This is a human rights issue."
