Titus not optimistic that immigration reform will advance this year

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus said Friday that she isn’t optimistic about a controversial federal immigration program being allowed to move forward this year.

The Nevada Democrat who is seeking re-election was joined by immigrant families at a press conference where she again vocalized support for the program that’s been delayed because of a lawsuit brought by 26 Republican-led states. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case, which the court is expected to decide by late June.

A 2014 executive order by President Barack Obama was intended to defer deportation for more than 4 million immigrants who are in the country illegally, mostly parents of U.S. citizens or resident children. The program, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, would give temporary relief from deportation and also legal work authorization for three years, with the chance to renew. That order also expanded a similar 2012 program aimed at immigrant youth brought to the U.S. as children.

One mother who spoke Friday had received a deportation order. Aida Lopez said she became both “mother and father” for her children after her husband was deported to Mexico in 2014 and subsequently kidnapped.

Titus said the issue is particularly relevant in Nevada, where 8 percent of the population and 10 percent of the labor force is in the U.S. illegally, according to a 2015 analysis by the Pew Research Center.

She said a 4-4 split decision on the high court was likely, but added that while a lower court ruling would freeze the program, it wouldn’t set a legal precedent.

Titus said she was optimistic that the issue would eventually be heard again by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt supported the lawsuit.

“Regardless of the outcome, should this president or a future one try to exceed their authority and make any type of law on their own, our Office stands ready to defend the Constitution and the balance of power between the president and Congress,” Laxalt spokeswoman Monica Moazez said.

Contact Alexander S. Corey at acorey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0270. Find @acoreynews on Twitter.