Attorneys for the state of Texas have said more than once that their efforts to stop President Obama’s executive action on immigration isn’t about deportations or specific immigration policy.
Abby Livingston / The Texas Tribune
The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.
Instead, they’ve argued, it’s about the rule of law, preserving the U.S. Constitution and preventing presidential overreach.
That’s provided little solace to the millions who would have benefited from the program that, announced in November 2014, is known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA. It would shield nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants in the country from deportation proceedings and allow them to apply for a three-year work permit.
On Monday, the state will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court in the last legal battle over the program. Lower courts have already ruled to stop the program three times. That happened after Gov. Greg Abbott, in his former role as the state’s attorney general, sued to stop the program. Twenty-five states eventually joined the case.
In 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville ruled the Obama administration didn’t comply with the federal government’s Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal regulations are made. A Nov. 9 decision by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Hanen’s decision.
The state is confident it will remain undefeated after the high court issues its ruling, which will probably come in June.
“Attorney General [Ken] Paxton looks forward to taking this case before the Supreme Court … on behalf of 26 states united against the president’s unlawful immigration action,” attorney general spokeswoman Cynthia Meyer said.
But the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia means this case will be watched with added intrigue. A 4-4 split means the lower court’s rulings are upheld and Obama loses. But a swing vote could mean that potential beneficiaries of the program have six months left to apply.
Here’s a look back at the actions and decisions affecting the case:
Nov. 20, 2014
President Obama announces his executive action on immigration called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA. The program would allow nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants to apply for a reprieve from deportation proceedings if they pass background checks, pay taxes and have been in the country for more than five years, the White House announces. It is scheduled to take effect in February 2015.
The administration also announces an expanded version of the 2012 program known as DACA, of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. That program provides younger undocumented immigrants a work permit and a two-year reprieve from deportation proceedings.
The new version expands the reprieve and work-permit validity to three years and broadens the pool of eligible applicants.
Republicans, including then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, threaten to sue to stop the program, saying that Obama is overstepping his authority.
Dec. 3, 2014
Attorney General and Gov. Elect-Abbott makes good on his promise to sue the administration and halt the DACA and DAPA programs. Sixteen other states sign on to the litigation.
“The president’s executive order and actions of federal agencies to implement the executive order directly violate a promise to the American people,” Abbott says.
Jan. 15, 2015
Brownsville-based U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen hears arguments in the case. In the lawsuit, Abbott accuses Obama of violating a provision of the U.S. Constitution giving Congress jurisdiction over immigration issues.
Abbott also said the action violates what is called the “take care” clause, which “requires the president to take care to execute the laws and clearly prevents this type of action the president is trying to undertake.”
Newly sworn-in Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken over the case.
Supporters of the immigration plan accuse Abbott and the state’s GOP leadership of shopping for a judge who might side with the state, and cite remarks made by Hanen in 2013, in which he said the Obama administration failed to uphold the rule of law.
Feb. 16, 2015
One day before DAPA and the expanded DACA is scheduled to go into effect, Judge Hanen stops the program after ruling the Obama administration did not “comply with the Administrative Procedure Act,” which governs the way regulations are made and how much input the public has.
Hanen agreed with the state’s Republicans that Texas would suffer irreparable harm if the program was allowed to go forward.
“Having found that at least one plaintiff, Texas, stands to suffer direct damage from the implementation of [Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA)], this court finds that there is requisite standing necessary for pursuit of this case,” Hanen wrote.
Added Paxton: “This decision is a victory for the rule of law in America and a crucial first step in reining in President Obama’s lawlessness.”
Feb. 20, 2015
The Obama administration asks Hanen to stay his own order while the case proceeds through the courts. It is optimistic it can prevail on appeal, citing that Hanen didn’t rule on the Constitutionality of the order but instead on the process by which is was pushed through.
Paxton seems just as confident.
“I will vigorously defend the United States Constitution, as Texas and our fellow states continue to fight back against the aggressive overreach of this lawless administration,” he says in a statement.
The number of states backing Texas has grown to 25.
Feb. 23, 2015
The White House asks a federal appellate court to reverse Hanen’s order, arguing the ruling was without merit because immigration policies fall under the federal government’s purview.
The state of Texas asks Hanen to reject the administration’s plea to let the program start while the case plays out in courts. Attorneys for the state argue that the federal government has no immediate need to begin the program.
March 5, 2015
In legal filings, the state of Texas accuses the administration of misleading the court about issuing work permits.
According to the filings, about 100,000 three-year deferred action permits were issued Nov. 24 and Feb. 16. by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.
March 12, 2015
The U.S. Department of Justice files an emergency motion asking the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to do what Hanen hasn’t yet — lift the injunction on the program while the issue meanders through the judicial system.
The administration reiterates its argument that immigration is a federal issue and that the states have no standing. It also argues that preventing the program from moving forward will interfere with other immigration-enforcement operations that are essential to the country’s security.
April 7, 2015
Hanen officially rejects The White House’s request to lift his own order. Hanen’s ruling says his initial rejection of the program was the right move.
“Having considered the positions of all parties and the applicable law, this court remains convinced that its original findings and rulings in the Order of Temporary Injunction and Memorandum Opinion and Order issued on Feb. 16, 2015 … were correct,” he wrote in a 15-page opinion.
April 17, 2015
A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans hears more than two hours of arguments as federal attorneys try to persuade the panel to side with the president and lift Hanen’s injunction.
“This suit is unprecedented because in no case have the states been found to have standing because they have no judicially cognizable interest in who is prosecuted under the immigration laws,” argued Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer.
The state sticks to its talking points and tells the panel Obama overstepped its bounds. Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller expresses confidence afterward that the judges will see the state’s arguments as valid.
May 26, 2015
The Fifth Circuit hands Texas a win and keeps the program on hold. Abbott says that a “victory for the Constitution has been awarded and the Rule of Law restored.”
The Obama administration mulls over its options as proponents of the program grow nervous that time is running out. The 2016 presidential elections are near and, even if the program is eventually allowed to be implemented, some fear participation will be low because of uncertainty about who will be in the White House in 2017.
The administration can ask the entire 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to hear the case or can file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Either way, the clock is ticking.
July 11, 2015
The case is back at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals as the state’s attorneys argue against the administration’s attempt to reverse Hanen’s order. Because they were victorious at the appellate level the first time when they fought against lifting the measure as the case played out, the state’s lawyers are confident they will prevail again.
Nov. 9, 2015
The state remains undefeated after the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals again denies the White House from implementing the program.
Supporters and opponents of the program realize a showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court is probably the next step.
Nov. 20, 2015
The Obama administration officially asks the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case and reject the 5th Circuit Court’s ruling. The request comes exactly one year after the president announced the action.
The previous rulings in New Orleans were 2-1, which the administration says warrants further review of the case.
“The court of appeals’ judgment enjoins nationwide a federal policy of great importance to federal law enforcement, to many States, and to millions of families with longstanding and close connections with this country,” The U.S. Justice Department’s filing states. “A twice-divided court of appeals should not have the last word on whether that policy can be implemented.”
Nov. 23, 2015
The office of the Texas attorney general asks the high court for a 30-day extension to file its response in opposition to the White House’s request for a review.
Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller says the state has “numerous pressing deadlines in other cases.”
In its response, the federal government says it’s open to an eight-day extension, but not the monthlong delay the state’s attorneys are asking for.
Dec. 1, 2015
The state’s 30-day extension is rejected, but it’s given eight more days to respond. On the surface, the 22-day difference seems minor. But the more time the state takes to respond, the greater the chances the case won’t be heard in 2016, which would effectively kill the measure before the president leaves office.
Jan. 19, 2016
The U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear the case. Paxton said the decision reflects the high court is interested in upholding the rule of law.
“In deciding to hear this case, the Supreme Court recognizes the importance of the separation of powers,” Paxton said. “As federal courts have already ruled three times, there are limits to the president’s authority.”
Feb. 3, 2016
In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller and First Assistant Attorney General Chip Roy, explain the state’s strategy. The case isn’t about immigration or deportations, they argue. Instead it’s about the separation of powers and the limits of presidential overreach.
“Our lawsuit doesn’t impact the executive’s ability to exercise prosecutorial discretion,” Keller says. “Our injunction doesn’t require the executive to remove anyone, it doesn’t require it not to remove anyone, and it doesn’t interfere with removal priorities. What it’s about is the affirmative granting of lawful presence and lawful eligibility.”
Feb. 13, 2016
While on a brief vacation at a West Texas ranch, U.S. Supreme Court Antonin Scalia suffers a fatal heart attack. The unexpected vacancy on the high court leaves open the possibility the court will be split when it renders an opinion on the president’s immigration program. If that’s the case, Obama loses and Abbott/Paxton win as the lower courts’ rulings will be the ones to stand.