This Court Just Spoiled Obama's Plans to Expand Executive Power

Last May, a federal judge upheld an injunction against President Barack Obama’s plan to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens through executive order. A coalition of 26 states moved to block the scheme.

A federal court threw another proverbial wrench into the works on Monday, upholding the ruling. And there’s more bad news for the president. From the Los Angeles Times (emphasis added):

The decision by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals may have come too late for the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court and win a reversal before Obama leaves office.

In a 2-1 decision, the appeals court sided with Texas and 25 other states that had sued to block Obama’s programs, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, or DAPA, and an extension of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

The two judges ruled that Obama had “no statutory authority” to issue such sweeping orders on immigration because they forced a change in government regulations that did not go through full and proper procedures.

“At its core, this case is about the [administration’s] decision to change the immigration classification of millions of illegal aliens on a class-wide basis,” Judge Jerry Smith said, joined by Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod.

The court stated what we already know. The president has “no statutory authority” to defer deportations. 

Despite laws against illegal immigration, our government seems determined to flout them. A country has a right to defend its borders and an obligation to protect citizens. Here’s how the administration — any administration — can deal with the so-called crisis: enforce immigration law. Prioritize the deportation of violent illegal aliens, then move on to those with non-violent offenses.

To deal with the rest, enforce the law against businesses that hire illegal aliens. Bar illegal aliens from receiving any taxpayer-funded benefits or perks that should be reserved for citizens. Hopefully, our next president will be pro-enforcement and pro-American citizen.

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