NILC Responds to Nomination to U.S. Supreme Court of Judge Neil Gorsuch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2017

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

NILC Responds to Nomination to U.S. Supreme Court of Judge Neil Gorsuch

LOS ANGELES — President Donald Trump today announced the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. The announcement comes after Senate Republicans refused for nearly a year to give former President Barack Obama’s choice, Merrick Garland, a fair hearing. The seat has been vacant since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“As the ultimate arbiter of the Constitution and our ability to uphold our most cherished values, the Supreme Court is an indispensable part of our democracy. The American people deserve a justice who is independent and open-minded, and who can fairly weigh the facts when taking on critical legal questions that have broad and meaningful impact on their lives.

“The extreme and deeply concerning actions taken so far by the president, including his recent policies attacking immigrants and refugees, make clear that the next justice to the Supreme Court must be willing to serve as a check on blatant abuses of power and policies that contradict our Constitution and core American values.

“Following the shameful, politically-motivated obstruction on display for nearly a year, we call on all senators to take seriously their constitutional duty to thoroughly and fairly vet Judge Neil Gorsuch’s qualifications and character. We expect the Senate to provide the level of scrutiny worthy of this high post.”

# # #