Immigrant Rights Activists React After Deadlock In Supreme Court

By Shaun Boyd

DENVER (CBS4)- Immigrant rights activists in Colorado are stepping up voter registration drives and citizenship classes after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Barack Obama from expanding protections for people in the country illegally.

"Who's got the power? We've got the power!" activists chanted at a news conference in Denver after the ruling.

The Supreme Court Justices - four conservatives and four liberals - apparently deadlocked on whether the President could issue executive actions that prevent deportation of more children brought here illegally, as well as the parents of kids born here.

The actions would have allowed them to gain temporary legal status and work permits if they'd been here at least five years and hadn't committed any crimes.

The ruling impacts 84,000 people in Colorado, including Judith Mendoza.

She was brought here from Mexico eight years ago as a child. She's now on a full ride scholarship at Metro State University and her dad is a small business owner. She says she's not asking for a free pass.

"As I encourage citizens to vote this November, I encourage young people to get into college, older people to pay their taxes, other people to speak English. We have to show them we want to stay here," said Mendoza.

Mendoza wants to apply for medical school but can't without legal status.

"I love this country. I want to stay here but if they keep saying no, no, no... at this point maybe just a miracle can happen," said Mendoza.

She's worried about the November election, "Donald trump started as joke and everybody was like "ha, ha". But now, he's not a joke anymore. He's like our worst nightmare."

The non-profit, Mi Familia Vota, helps people who are eligible for citizenship to fill out paperwork. Yanley Gonzalez volunteers with the organization and is a first time voter herself.

"Please vote. Vote for your families. Stick together with your families. Let's make this happen," she urged those at the press conference.

Latinos make up about 15 percent of Colorado's electorate. Several members of Colorado's Congressional Delegation weighed in on the ruling.

Republican U.S. Senator Cory Gardner said, "The result of the of the Supreme Court ruling reflects what Americans across the country already know: The Obama Administration abused its power by circumventing Congress to act on rhetoric instead of working with us to address our broken immigration system."

Democratic U.S. Senator Michael Bennet - who helped write the comprehensive immigration reform bill that the House refused to vote on - said, "It extends the uncertainty for these families and our nation and is a stark reminder of the consequences of Congress's dysfunction. Congress should cancel its scheduled extended seven-week recess and get to work on these important issues."

Republican Congressman Mike Coffman - along with other republican colleagues in the House - said, "The American people expect Congress to work together to secure our borders, adhere to the rule of law, offer a humane solution to those living in the shadows, modernize our visa system, and bolster the economy. We are committed to fixing our broken immigration system once and for all."

Shaun Boyd is CBS4's political specialist. She's a veteran reporter with more than 25 years of experience. Follow her on Twitter @cbs4shaun.