What the immigration ruling means

U.S. District Court Judge Andrew S. Hanen temporarily blocked the President’s controversial executive actions on immigration—announced in November—that were meant to ease the deportation threats to millions of eligible immigrants. The move jolted an administration that had planned to move forward with some of Obama’s planned immigration changes on Wednesday.

Perhaps more importantly, the ruling chips away at Obama’s confident proclamation that he has broad powers as President to set priorities in enforcing immigration laws.

Hanen did not rule on the constitutional merits of the case challenged by Texas and 26 other states. But he said that Texas was able to demonstrate an injury sufficient to give it standing to sue. He also said that the administration had likely failed to comply with procedures for the way federal agencies can establish regulations.

“Hopefully, Senate Democrats who claim to oppose this executive overreach will now let the Senate begin debate on a bill to fund the Homeland Security department,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.

Tuesday’s ruling is preliminary, and the programs are blocked pending trial, or action by a federals appeal court or the Supreme Court.

CNN