Supreme Court hearings could impact key immigration policies

By Jennifer G. Hickey | August 30, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee next week begin considering the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh in a series of hearings that will last into the following week. The nomination debate has been focused on his record on abortion, but the hearings will touch on another leftist, progressive cause – the expansion of rights for legal and illegal aliens. If confirmed by the Senate, Kavanaugh could be deciding on such monumental issues as the fate of the DACA program, the authority of state and local officials to play a role in immigration enforcement, and the limits of the government’s ability to detain immigrants during removal and deportation proceedings.

There is a very good chance DACA will be an issue before the Supreme Court in light of decisions from three federal courts (D.C., California and New York) ordering the administration to continue accepting DACA renewal applications.

However, earlier in August in the Southern District of Texas, arguments were heard in a separate lawsuit filed by a coalition of states – led by Texas – to end the DACA program. Overseeing the case is Judge Andrew Hanen, who previously struck down the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). Hanen did not issue an immediate ruling.

If the Texas court sides with the states, the administration will likely seek Supreme Court review, which makes the future of the seat left open by the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

A July Quinnipiac survey found Kavanaugh has most support among men (he is favored by 50 — 35 percent margin), while Hispanic voters are divided almost evenly at 37 — 38 percent.

Judge Kavanaugh will be introduced to the committee by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.