A federal judge in Texas has issued an injunction against the immigration orders of President Barack Obama.
Federal U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled on Monday in favor of a coalition of 26 states to block executive action by Obama on immigration. This action is a temporary measure until a lawsuit proceeds through the court to permanently stop any attempt by the White House to take action.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the Hanen’s action a win for the rule of law in America. If the coalition is successful in its lawsuit, it will block protection from deportation of up to five million people in the United States.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued the following statement: “President Obama abdicated his responsibility to uphold the United States Constitution when he attempted to circumvent the laws passed by Congress via executive fiat, and Judge Hanen’s decision rightly stops the President’s overreach in its tracks. We live in a nation governed by a system of checks and balances, and the President’s attempt to bypass the will of the American people was successfully checked today. The District Court’s ruling is very clear — it prevents the president from implementing the policies in ‘any and all aspects.’ ”
Although similar executive action on immigration has been taken in the past by Republican presidents, including Regan and Bush Sr., only President Obama is receiving backlash and opposition. Some critics of the president claim that his use of executive action is far-reaching and excessive. However, it is a fact that of all modern presidents, Obama has utilized the fewest number of executive orders.
The federal government is expected to appeal Hanen’s ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
