By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America – Recently, U.S. District Judge, Andrew Hanen, blocked the unilateral actions of President Barack Obama from shielding millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, forcing the Obama administration to delay such action. Twenty-six states urged Judge Hanen to block the President’s actions, claiming that it was an abuse of his presidential powers. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, stated “President Obama abdicated his responsibility to uphold the United States Constitution when he attempted to circumvent the laws passed by Congress via executive fiat….” Judge Hanen stated that the Obama administration had not complied with procedures needed for putting his immigration procedures into effect.
President Obama has stated that his administration will comply with the Judge’s order and delay accepting applications from some of the illegal immigrants for deportation relief. However, Obama has said that he disagrees with the ruling and expected his administration to prevail on appeal, stating, “the law is on our side and history is on our side.” Immigration lawyers have states that many applicants that had already filed the necessary paperwork and paid the required fee must not either withdraw their applications or continue with the process in hopes that the injunction is overturned.
The Obama administration’s orders would offer legal reprieve to the undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been in the United states for at least 5 years. Thus, removing the threat of immediate deportation. Additionally, the administration would seek to expand the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allows illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children to apply for a two-year work permit.
For more information, please see the following:
FOX NEWS- Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Obama’s Immigration Executive Action – 17 Feb. 2015.
NBC NEWS – Judge Blocks Obama’s Deferred Deportation Policy For Undocumented Immigrants– 17 Feb. 2015.
REUTERS – U.S. Delays Obama’s Immigration Steps After Judge’s Rebuke – 17 Feb. 2015.
WASHINGTON POST- Federal Judge In Texas Block Obama Immigration Orders – 17 Feb. 2015.
