Summary: The immigration policies that Obama tried to enact in 2014 but were blocked by lawsuits are now going before the Supreme Court.
Monday marked the beginning of arguments over Obama’s immigration law. After the day of oral arguments, the Supreme Court appears to be divided over the issue of Obama’s authority to use executive actions to keep undocumented immigrants in the country.
Congress has provided funds to deport 4 million illegals but there are an estimated 11.3 million undocumented aliens in the country so as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pointed out, “So inevitably, priorities have to be set.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted, “They are here whether we want them or not.”
Read Obama’s Last Chance for Immigration Reform Rests with Supreme Court to learn more.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito were concerned over the words used that seem to contradict immigration law. Alito asked, “How is it possible to lawfully work in the United States without lawfully being in the United States?” Roberts added, “I mean, they’re lawfully present, and yet, they’re present in violation of the law?”
Obama produced his immigration actions at the end of 2014 but Texas and 25 other states sued, blocking the policies from becoming active. Obama’s policies would have saved undocumented workers from deportation by giving them work permits.
See Judge Stops Obama’s Executive Actions on Immigration.
Opponents of Obama’s policies argue that this move was just another example of the White House trying to go around the Republican led Congress. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, “Basically the President has stepped in and taken over what normally would be associated with Congress. Congress makes the laws.”
Read Boehner Plans to Attack Obama’s Immigration Executive Order with Lawsuit.
The Obama administration argues that the states opposing the policies have no legal right to do so. The case is being argued before the four Democratic-appointed justices and four GOP-appointed justices. If they vote 4-4 the policies will stay blocked and be sent back to the district court in Texas that first blocked them.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/politics/supreme-court-immigration-executive-actions-texas/
Photo: conservativerepublicannews.com
