SCOTUS Tie Blocks Obama Immigration Executive Action

"Today’s decision is frustrating"

6.23.2016

On Thursday, the Supreme Court deadlocked in a 4-4 decision on Obama's executive action on immigration, thereby upholding an appeals court ruling that deemed the action unconstitutional.

From the New York Times:

The case, United States v. Texas, No. 15-674, concerned an executive action by the president to allow as many as five million unauthorized immigrants who are the parents of citizens or of lawful permanent residents to apply for a program that would spare them from deportation and provide them with work permits. The program was called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA.

Mr. Obama has said he took action in 2014 after years of frustration with Republicans in Congress who had repeatedly refused to support bipartisan Senate legislation to update immigration laws. A coalition of 26 states, led by Texas, promptly challenged the plan, accusing the president of ignoring administrative procedures for changing rules and of abusing the power of his office by circumventing Congress.

In a statement Thursday, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has since praised the decision, calling it a win for the rule of law and loss for Obama's desired plans.

"Today’s decision keeps in place what we have maintained from the very start: one person, even a president, cannot unilaterally change the law," said Paxton. "This is a major setback to President Obama’s attempts to expand executive power, and a victory for those who believe in the separation of powers and the rule of law."

President Obama has not welcomed the decision with the same enthusiasm, calling it "frustrating" that SCOTUS didn't give him what he wanted.

"Today’s decision is frustrating to those who seek to grow our economy and bring a rationality to our immigration system," he told reporters. "It is heartbreaking for the millions of immigrants who have made their lives here."

Presidential candidate Donald Trump has since celebrated the decision, saying the "ruling has blocked one of the most unconstitutional actions ever undertaken by a president."