Republican lawmakers are cheering a federal appeals court decision preventing the Obama administration from moving forward with executive amnesty, calling it a win for the rule of law.
In a 2-1 split decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s injunction blocking the Obama administration from implementing programs to grant amnesty and work permits to millions of illegal immigrants.
“Today’s decision from the federal appeals court is a victory for the Constitution and the American people,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) says. “President Obama’s decision to ignore the limits placed on his power and act unilaterally to rewrite our nation’s immigration laws is an affront to the Constitution.”
The Fifth Circuit’s ruling upheld an injunction that has been in place since February, siding with the 26 states, led by Texas, challenging the administration’s unilateral actions.
A victory for rule of law as Fifth Circuit rules against Pres. Obama’s illegal & unconstitutional executive amnesty! https://t.co/dK6nXqEcHQ
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 10, 2015
For months Republicans have chastised the Obama administration for overstepping its authority in unilaterally attempting to grant millions of illegal immigrants defacto legal status and work permits. “Thanks to the Fifth Circuit, the injunction on the President’s unlawful maneuvering to implement his own policies, without regard for Congress, the law or American workers remains in place,” Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said Tuesday.
“The Obama administration does not have unfettered authority to execute whatever it wants. The President simply can’t singly rewrite the country’s immigration laws. This is a win for the checks and balances established by the Constitution,” he concluded.
Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) echoed the sentiment Tuesday, saying the president is not a king. “The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt an important victory for law abiding immigrants and taught President Obama a much-needed civics lesson. This President is many things, but a king isn’t one of them. We are a nation of laws and, as this rebuke from the court affirms, he cannot rewrite those laws on a whim to fit his liberal agenda,” Black said.
Even before the court decision, Republicans have touted the fact that Obama himself said he could not take the actions he ultimately took, as Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) recalled Tuesday.
Obama said 22 times that he didnt have authority to grant #executiveamnesty. Courts must’ve heard him once or twice. https://t.co/2gmBt5WLl5
— Senator Hatch Office (@SenOrrinHatch) November 10, 2015
Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), a more moderate Republican, argued that Monday’s decision confirmed “that the Administration’s actions were driven by political calculation,” however, he noted that Congress still must find “bipartisan solutions” to the immigration issues facing the U.S.
The Fifth Circuit’s ruling reaffirms that President Obama’s role is to faithfully execute the law, not alter or ignore it as he sees fit
— Senator Dan Coats (@SenDanCoats) November 10, 2015
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