Aspects of immigration lawsuit postponed

Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2015 8:02 pm
EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO | STAFF WRITER

Federal district court proceedings on the challenge to President Barack Obama’s immigration initiatives have been partially suspended.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen granted Wednesday the request of the U.S. government and Texas-led states to hold back on the proceedings pending a decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on the preliminary injunction he issued, blocking implementation of the initiatives.

Joined by 25 other states, Texas challenges the initiatives, which would protect approximately 4 million immigrants in the country illegally from deportation. They also would be eligible for work authorizations.

The states claim the government didn’t provide notice of the intended programs or allow for comments in wanting to confer legal presence, work authorizations and other benefits to immigrants living in the country illegally. The states argue they would be incurring costs of the education, health care and law enforcement services.

The government says the costs would be offset by the productivity of the recipients and the states would reap economic benefits instead. The government also maintains Hanen’s injunction is unprecedented and wrong. The government argues the U.S. Constitution does not entitle states to intrude in immigration enforcement.

The initiatives are called the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program.

On Feb. 16, Hanen issued the preliminary injunction against implementation of the programs.

The government’s appeal is pending, and the parties say the outcome would likely affect the scope and nature of future litigation before Hanen and all parties would benefit from knowing the resolution of the appeal.

Hanen granted the states’ and government’s request, but he also has scheduled a hearing in his court for June 23 on all pending matters.

eperez-trevino@valleystar.com

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local...48891527d.html