A South Texas judge has ordered an injunction on U.S. President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration, attributing it to a failure of the government to “comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.”
The injunction stalls Obama’s orders, which could spare up to 5 million people who are currently in the U.S. illegally from deportation. The move gives a coalition of 26 states the opportunity to pursue a lawsuit that would permanently halt the President’s orders.
U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush in 2002, prevented any implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, or DAPA, until a resolution is reached or the court decides otherwise.
Hanen also ordered the parties to come to an agreement on the issue by Feb. 27, when they will be required to submit a schedule for its resolution.