Tennessee Attorney General Herb Slatery today announced his state has joined the lawsuit filed by attorneys general and governors challenging the constitutionality of President Obama’s executive amnesty. That lawsuit, now brought by 25 states, seeks a preliminary injunction to halt implementation of the president’s plans while the court considers the merits of the case.
In a press release published by Knoxville ABC affiliate WATE, Attorney General Slatery said:
“Our office has carefully considered whether to join this lawsuit and concluded that it is in the best interest of the State to do so. While the subject of the executive action was immigration, the lawsuit is not about immigration. It is really more about the rule of law and the limitations that prevent the executive branch from taking over a role constitutionally reserved for Congress.
“The executive directives issued by the White House and Homeland Security conflict with existing federal law. They replace prosecutorial discretion, normally determined on a case by case basis, with a unilateral nonenforcement policy protecting over 4 million people. The directives also are rules that have been issued without complying with the Administrative Procedures Act.
“(T)he State cannot sit on the sidelines of this case, when unlawful directives of this magnitude grant lawful presence and other rights like work permits to such a large number. Asking a court to review this issue is the prudent choice, especially when state resources will be taxed under the directives to provide benefits like unemployment compensation and health care.”
The other 24 states engaged in the lawsuit are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
