The Trump administration has reportedly reinstated a government program that protects immigrants with life-threatening health conditions, after abruptly terminating it in August.
The ACLU of Massachusetts and Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) filed a lawsuit earlier this month, challenging the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of the medical deferred action program. Together with pro bono support from Goodwin, the ACLU and LCR filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC). The IIIC serves 33 impacted people and families in Massachusetts who have applied or were applying for deferred action based on a serious medical need. The organization’s clients include children seeking treatment for illnesses such cancer, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy—and the parents who care for them.
Carol Rose, executive director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, released the following statement:
“This is an encouraging development for the people and families harmed by the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of this life-saving program. We are honored to be fighting alongside these families and the Irish International Immigrant Center, and we are hopeful that the government will work to restore the medical deferred action program. We look forward to hearing from the government directly in connection with our lawsuit.”
Ronnie Millar, executive director at the Irish International Immigrant Center, released the following statement:
“The Irish International Immigrant Center is hopeful for a compassionate and humanitarian review of these cases moving forward. We are inspired by the courage of the immigrant families across the nation who have remained strong throughout the past month. We sincerely thank each of our partners for their support, and the IIIC will continue to fight for justice for immigrant and refugee families.”
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, released the following statement:
“Life-saving medical care and treatment should not be politicized. Terminating humanitarian protection for immigrants with life-threatening health conditions is a death sentence. In Boston, we are blessed to have the leading medical care in the world. As Americans, it is our moral obligation to use our resources to save lives.”
Ira Levy, partner at Goodwin, released the following statement:
“We will continue our efforts until the medical deferred action program has been fully restored and immigrants in critical condition can receive the life-saving care they need without fear or concern. We are privileged to maintain this action with our partners and on behalf of the IIIC and the communities it serves, and are hopeful that the government will make the right decision.”
