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Nutter and immigration advocates call for implementation of DACA and DAPA

Standing in between a group of immigration advocates, Mayor Nutter on Friday said he supported President Obama's executive order providing temporary stay of deportation and a work permit to about 3.7 million immigrants who met certain qualifications.

Standing in between a group of immigration advocates, Mayor Nutter on Friday said he supported President Obama's executive order providing temporary stay of deportation and a work permit to about 3.7 million immigrants who met certain qualifications.

A federal judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction to the president's program in February. The Obama administration appealed and oral arguments began Friday.

"While the President's executive actions are not a permanent solution, they are important strides to support the well-being, integration and success of immigrants across America," Nutter said at a Friday afternoon news conference. "It is my sincere hope, one I know is shared by mayors, advocates and immigrants alike, that the Court of Appeals will reinstate the implementation of President Obama's executive action."

Nutter was one of several mayors throughout the country who have expressed support for Obama's two special programs: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans or Lawful Permanent Residents.

Representatives from Juntos, an immigrant-aid group who joined Nutter at the news conference said they would not only like Obama's order to be implemented but also expanded.

"The order only covers 4 million people. There are 11 million immigrants facing deportation," Erika Almiron, director of Juntos, said following the news conference.

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