In a decision that affirmed a lower federal court’s ruling regarding the Obama Administration’s expanded immigration reforms, the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans ruled that no immigration changes can be implemented involving President Obama’s November executive immigration order. The ruling stems from a federal lawsuit seeking to block the Administration’s reforms that would allow millions of immigrants in the country illegally deportation protection and the ability to obtain work permits. The original case, being heard in Brownsville, Texas by United States District Judge Andrew Hanen, was brought by 26 states against the Obama Administration.
The states allege that the immigration executive order is unconstitutional and that each state would incur undue financial burdens in order to carry out the changes. Judge Hanen issued a hold on the immigration reforms and barred any of the Administration’s immigration expansions from being implemented until a resolution in the case is found. The Obama Administration, arguing that the states have no legal authority to sue the government over policies that involves the federal control of the country’s borders, sought a stay from Judge Hanen’s order in the 5th Circuit court in New Orleans. The stay was upheld in a 2-to-1 decision by the New Orleans federal court.
In a statement regarding the order, White House spokesperson Brandi Hoffine spoke out against the decision, saying “today, two judges of the Fifth Circuit chose to misinterpret the facts and the law in denying the government’s request for a stay” and defended President Obama’s executive order as “fully consistent with the law.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement as well praising the ruling as “a victory for those committed to preserving the law of rule in America” and criticized the “brazen lawlessness that has become a trademark of the Obama Administration.”
As the legal battle over immigration continues on each side, it is unclear if the decision will be made before President Obama leaves office in 2017.
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Source: The Washington Post
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