Supreme Court rules on Obama’s immigration executive action

With a 4-4 deadlock, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision against President Barack Obama’s executive action last Thursday, June 23. The action in question aimed to delay the deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Obama’s executive order would have shielded around 4 million illegal immigrants – largely the parents of children considered American citizens – from deportation. The action also sought to give immigrants the right to apply for work authorization and the ability to participate in the Social Security system.

U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen accepted the state of Texas’ argument that Obama’s immigration order could cause harm to the state by mandating it to give driver’s licenses to additional undocumented immigrants. The Obama administration argued that Texas voluntarily gives out driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, and the state could decide not to give out licenses if it wanted to. Even so, the executive order was blocked, a ruling the Supreme Court upheld.

The immigration lawyers at the Law Office of William Jang, PLLC in Austin, Texas handle immigration cases. If you are having difficulties with your immigration papers or documentation, seek the legal help of our qualified immigration attorneys by calling our offices at (512) 323-2333.