Supreme Court to hear challenge of President’s immigration orders

By Joe Ragusa

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has announced that it’s going to hear a challenge to President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration.

The challenge comes from 26 states that are questioning the legality of the President’s orders in 2014 to give nearly 5 million immigrants legal status in the country. The executive actions focus mainly on the parents of lawful U.S. citizens who otherwise would not be legal immigrants.

Illinois State University Supreme Court scholar Meghan Leonard said the case focuses on a few things, like state’s rights and the balance of power between Congress and the President.

“Does the President have the power to do this? Is he acting in a way where he’s carrying out the goals of Congress, which he’s required to do by the (U.S.) Constitution?” Leonard said.

PODCAST: Dr. Meghan Leonard of Illinois State University discusses the Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments over the President’s 2014 executive actions on immigration.

Leonard said Obama filed his executive actions because he was frustrated by the lack of action Congress was making towards the issue.

The Supreme Court will likely hear the case in April. It may be decided before the end of June, about a month before both parties’ presidential nominating conventions.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.