Supreme Court Blocks Immigration Executive Action

In another decision announced this morning, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that blocked the Obama administration’s executive action on immigration. The administration had sought to shield minors as well as parents of citizens from deportation. A number of states led by Texas challenged these actions as a violation of statutes and the Constitution. The administration argued that these actions were well within the purview of the executive’s administration of law and that the states themselves had no standing to even challenge the action.

The 4-4 decision means that the lower court ruling will stand. It also highlights the importance of the Republicans unprecedented actions in not giving Merrick Garland a hearing as well as the importance of the election this fall. If Hillary wins and Republicans eventually confirm a ninth justice, this case will probably come before the Court again and that lower court ruling will be overturned.