The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will review President Obama’s order that would protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. The executive order has come under intense scrutiny from conservatives who believe this action is unconstitutional.
The review stems from an executive action ordered more than a year ago that allows millions of undocumented immigrants who have children to apply for a program called “DAPA” that would protect them from immediate deportation, and could even provide work permits.
The plan is not in effect, as it was challenged in a lawsuit brought by Texas and 25 other states and blocked by a federal appeals court that ruled Obama overstepped his authority in ordering the plan. In the lawsuit, Texas argued that it would be burdened with millions of dollars in expenses to an estimated 500,000 parents who would qualify under the plan.
The Obama administration sought review on the grounds that the court of appeals’ decision strips the president of longstanding powers and gives the states unwarranted power to challenge federal immigration policies in court.
The Court will hear arguments in April and is expected to issue its opinion as soon as late June. This all but guarantees that the immigration debate will remain front and center in the presidential campaign. If the court rules in his favor, Obama could begin the changes during his final months in office. The President had been urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the matter, in order to move the measure forward.
LawNews.com editor Chris White also contributed to this report.
[h/t New York Times, NBC News]