U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen heard arguments yesterday in a case brought by 25 governors and attorneys general to block President Obama from implementing another executive amnesty. Judge Hanen decided not to rule on the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction before Jan. 30.
The judge repeatedly pushed U.S. Department of Justice attorney Kathleen Hartnett to explain the legal authority for issuing the executive amnesty but gave no indication on how he would rule, according to the Associated Press.
The plaintiffs, led by Texas Deputy Solicitor General Andrew Oldham, said that the president’s actions have violated the "Take Care Clause" of the U.S. Constitution, and would cause states irreparable harm due to the billions of dollars they would have to spend for health care, education and law enforcement. Oldham also said the amnesty would entice more illegal entries and empower future presidents to ignore other laws.
If Judge Hanen issues a preliminary injunction before the end of the month, it would freeze Obama's implementation while the merits of the case are considered.
Read more from the Associated Press.
