National Immigration Law Center Urges Senate to Vote Quickly on President’s Supreme Court Nominee

WASHINGTON — In response to President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee announcement today, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“The president has nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court today. Garland clearly possesses a sharp legal mind worthy of the highest court in the land. Many may be disappointed that President Obama did not use this opportunity to nominate a judge with a strong track record on progressive issues, or a judge who can add to diversity on a court that still fails to represent the richness we see in our communities. However, there is no doubt that Garland is extremely experienced, with a 19-year tenure at the DC Circuit Court. We firmly believe the Senate should move swiftly to confirm him. This isn’t about partisan politics; it’s about carrying out constitutional duty.

“There are millions of lives—including those of low-income immigrants and their families—across the country whose futures depend on the Supreme Court fully functioning, and they cannot wait another year. The nation relies on the highest court to fully review, consider, and judge the most important issues of our time, and as long as we have only eight justices on the bench, justice cannot be fully served.”

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