Phoenix police on Thursday arrested four people for blocking parts of a major downtown road at a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Phoenix in protest of a Supreme Court decision blocking President Obama’s plan to shield from deportation millions living in the U.S. illegally.
Police moved the crowd off the street at about 12:30 p.m., but four protesters remained, including two who chained themselves to ladders.
Activists cheered as handcuffed protesters were placed into squad cars and then calmly dispersed shortly after.
Meanwhile, several politicians and those involved in immigration reform efforts reacted to Thursday’s ruling:
“This decision further emphasizes that the president cannot rewrite the laws he finds problematic, nor skirt the separation of powers whenever he finds it convenient. Immigration is an issue that must be debated and decided by the representatives of the people, not by executive fiat. I hope that after today’s ruling, Congress can get back to work advancing bipartisan solutions to fix our broken immigration system once and for all.”
– Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
“This important judicial case has now been impacted by a partisan political battle. But we can’t forget that this is about people. This is about the future of families that are working and struggling to be a part of the American dream. Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families together, grows our economy and protects our border communities.”
— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.
“Today’s 4-4 Supreme Court ruling allows a flawed injunction against the expansion of DACA and DAPA to stand, leaving vulnerable people all across the country to continue suffering under an immigration system that splinters families and betrays our values. The silver lining is that a 4-4 tie is not precedent setting, and I hope that the court revisits this vital issue with the urgency it deserves.”
— Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz.
“Our country was founded on the separation of powers and the principle of three co-equal branches of government. The Supreme Court found the President clearly overreached here, and I agree with its decision. I’m committed to finding solutions in Congress on this issue and others.”
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— Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz.
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“Arizona leaders need to demand that Congress and our next president work to reform our nation’s immigration system in a way that relieves today’s widespread and devastating human costs, while acknowledging that immigrant workers are a key component to sustaining a healthy economy. An estimated 25 to 30 percent of Arizona’s Hispanic-owned businesses are owned by immigrants.”
— Gonzalo A. de la Melena, Jr., president/CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“This ruling is proof that the outcome of the 2016 election is more critical now than ever. Our country needs a president and a Congress with the courage to protect immigrant families. Our country’s voters, including its nearly 29 million Latino voters, must send the message in November that it’s time to tear down walls and open our hearts and minds and work together to build up America.”
— Petra Falcon, executive director of Promise Arizona
“Families at Corazon de Tucson are disappointed, but not surprised. ... However, Corazon de Tucson also recognized the limits of the proposed DAPA and expanded DACA. Families want more than a piecemeal approach that would provide only temporary work visas to just some family members.”
— Margot Veranes, Corazon de Tucson
“We call ourselves a nation of immigrants yet the policies of today don’t reflect the ideals that formed our country... Americans need to understand the importance of leveraging our immigrant workforce as they bring a distinct comparative advantage, such as bilingual and bicultural skills, as we compete in today’s global economy.”
