Smith Statement on Fifth Circuit Ruling on Immigration Executive Actions

Press Release

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit's refusal to lift the injunction against President Obama's unilateral executive actions on immigration.

Congressman Lamar Smith: "I am encouraged by today's decision to uphold a Texas judge's injunction preventing the Obama administration from forging ahead with unilateral amnesty actions. I will continue to be a vocal supporter of the Texas-led, 26-state lawsuit and our nation's rule of law. The American people should also be encouraged by today's ruling which shows that the courts are still willing to put a check on an overreaching executive branch. As the president himself has admitted, he does not have the authority to unilaterally rewrite laws."

In December, numerous states -- led by the State of Texas -- filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Obama's executive overreach on immigration. Congressman Smith, Senator Cornyn, Senator Cruz, and Chairman Goodlatte signed an amicus brief submitted to the federal court in support of the states' lawsuit. On February 17, 2015 a federal judge temporarily blocked President Obama's unilateral immigration actions. Since then, political appointees at the Justice Department have filed an appeal to lift the injunction. Oral arguments were heard by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on April 17, 2015. Smith, Cruz, Cornyn, and Goodlatte recently filed another brief earlier this month with the support of more than 100 Members of the House and Senate. That brief was also filed to show lawmaker support for upholding the injunction keeping the federal government from implementing the president's executive actions on immigration.

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