DENVER – A unity celebration for immigrant families was held in Denver Tuesday.

The event was intended to celebrate the opportunity and share information on the new federal guidelines that were set to take effect Wednesday.

However, a U.S. District court judge in Brownsville, Texas has issued a preliminary injunction, blocking President Obama’s executive order offering a temporary reprieve for up to 5 million people who came to this country illegally – many of them children.

The White House says it will appeal.

MORE: Federal judge stalls Obama’s executive action on immigration

“We are moving forward despite the Texas judge’s ruling,” one speaker said during an event at the Denver Central Library at 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. in Denver.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was in attendance and voiced his support. 

@MayorHancock says he stands with the Obama administration on immigration reform. “We encourage Congress to act” pic.twitter.com/IDDG0jEwlb

— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) February 17, 2015

Organizers of the event want to promote the president’s immigration actions and provide educational information about the immigration programs Deferred Action for Parents (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA.)

For the past two years, we’ve had smaller rallies in Denver – at federal court and offices downtown – over issues surrounding the imminent deportation of illegal immigrants.

In 2006 and 2007, thousands of people marched through Denver for an “Immigrant Day of Action.”

PHOTOS: Immigration rally draws thousands

Members of the immigrant community have also rallied behind a man who is claiming sanctuary in a Denver church to avoid deportation. Arturo Hernandez Garcia took sanctuary in the church in October, and his family made a lobbying trip to Washington D.C. in December to plead his case.

READ MORE: Immigrant’s family returns from DC lobbying trip