UPDATE: Asian American Groups Applaud Supreme Court Decision on Immigration

(Updated 1:55 Eastern Time)

The U.S. Supreme Court this morning announced it will  hear a case challenging President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.

Nearly half a million Asians would receive protection from deportation if the high court rules in favor of the plan, according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

“We are extremely pleased the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear this important case,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. “We urge the U.S. Supreme Court to think of the many families who will be impacted by their decision.”

Earlier this year the Fifth Circuit court blocked the President’s executive actions to expand his plan to allow children who came to this country illegally before age 16 to remain. It also blocked his order to let adults remain if their children are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

“The Fifth Circuit decision to block President Obama’s executive actions not only denies deportation relief, but also denies many the ability to apply for work authorizations, obtain driver’s licenses, obtain health care, open a bank account and receive in-state college tuition.,” said Moua.

The MinKwon Center in New York has helped hundreds of undocumented immigrants apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals since 2012.

“We are ready and eager to do the same for Expanded DACA and DAPA eligible individuals when their time finally comes,” said Grace Shim, executive director of the MinKwon Center for Community Action.  “In that spirit, the MinKwon Center urges the Supreme Court to make the just decision and help move the nation one step closer to comprehensive immigration reform.”

Ready California, a statewide collective of advocacy groups, joined in celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Today’s decision brings us one step closer to providing protections that keep families together and strengthen our communities, and that is truly good news,” said Sally Kinoshita of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and member of Ready California.