Supreme Court Blocks Obama Immigration Plan In 4-4 Tie
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A tie vote by the Supreme Court blocked President Barack Obama's immigration plan that sought to shield millions living in the U.S. illegally from deportation.
The justices' one-sentence opinion on Thursday effectively kills the plan for the duration of Obama's presidency.
Obama said the decision sets the system back and "takes us further from the country we aspire to be.''
"I think it is heartbreaking for the millions of immigrants who made their lives here, who have raised families here, who hope for the opportunity to work, pay taxes, serve in our military and more fully contribute to this country we all love in an open way," Obama said.
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito called it a "sad day."
"We need to get people out of the shadows, we know that the vast majority of immigrants -- those that are undocumented -- come to this country to work and to contribute positively to the economy and to our local communities," she told 1010 WINS.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also said he was disappointed by the decision.
"New York City, like so many cities across the country, is stronger when all of our residents are secure in their ability to provide for their families and contribute to their community," de Blasio said. "Immigrants help make New York the best city in the world. We stand with our immigrant neighbors, co-workers, friends, and loved ones."
A tie vote sets no national precedent but leaves in place the ruling by the lower court. In this case, the federal appeals court in New Orleans said the Obama administration lacked the authority to shield up to 4 million immigrants from deportation and make them eligible for work permits without approval from Congress.
Texas led 26 Republican-dominated states in challenging the program Obama announced in November 2014. Congressional Republicans also backed the states' lawsuit.
The president reassured people that they don't need to fear immediate deportation, saying said the opinion doesn't change his administration's enforcement priorities.
Obama says his administration will continue focusing its limited enforcement resources on people who have committed a crime and that deportation for long-term immigrants who aren't criminals will remain a low priority.
Obama predicts that the U.S. immigration system will eventually be overhauled, saying it's not a matter of "if,'' but a matter of "when.'' The president said the country deserves an immigration policy that reflects the goodness of the American people.
He hopes that will be an outcome of the voting in November for control of the White House and Congress.
Obama also used the deadlocked Supreme Court opinion on his immigration actions to hammer Republicans for refusing to confirm his nominee to the Supreme Court. He said Republicans are allowing partisan politics to jeopardize critical issues, adding "America should not let it stand.''
The president said his immigration actions can't go forward until the court has a ninth justice to break the tie.
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