On Monday, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s issued a decision blocking President Obama’s executive immigration order late Monday night, denying millions of illegal immigrant’s access to work permits. Some of Arizona’s leaders reacted to the news.
Arizona’s newly elected Attorney General Mark Brnovich only released a Tweet:
“The US has always been a beacon of hope&liberty but we need to uphold the constitution.”
Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05) issued the following statement:
“As soon as President Obama announced his executive actions, I, along with numerous other Republicans in Congress, rightly and vocally denounced his plans as the unconstitutional power-play that they are. Unfortunately, media outlets in Arizona and across the country seem to believe that a President isn’t bound by the laws of Congress if he should disagree with them. Those false claims have helped drive the debate about how much a President can ignore our laws and yesterday we saw confirmation that the President can’t simply violate our laws with impunity.
“As a nation of separated powers, I applaud the ruling of the District Court in Texas preventing these actions from taking place until their constitutionality has been thoroughly reviewed. In defending the ability of Congress to set a policy contrary to the whims of a President, the court has wisely chosen to side with freedom over the autocratic maneuvers of an out-of-control executive. This ruling was indeed a victory for our Constitution.
“The current and most pressing issue before the Congress is the funding of our Department of Homeland Security. With this latest ruling, it’s time for Senate Democrats to stop playing politics by filibustering funding legislation to protect an unconstitutional initiative.”
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) issued the following statement:
“While it is disappointing to see President Obama’s executive actions delayed by a lawsuit that amounts to nothing more than a political stunt, I remain heartened that relief will come to those struggling through our broken immigration system. We will continue preparing for deferred action programs that will provide millions of aspiring Americans with the opportunity realize their dreams, and continue to live, work and remain with their families here in America.
“This injunction is not the result of sound legal action – it is the result of a lawsuit shopped around by Attorneys General and governors intent on undermining the president’s efforts. The fact that they found a judge in Texas with a pre-disposition against the President and immigrant communities does not grant merit to their misguided causes.
“This lawsuit ultimately wastes taxpayer dollars, disenfranchises immigrant workers and families, and denies state economies from much needed revenues. I am confident that it will be rejected in our court system, and the President’s legal executive actions will be allowed to proceed.”
Congressman Paul Gosar issued the following statement:
“I applaud Judge Hanen’s decision to put a stop to the lawlessness that we have grown accustomed to from the Obama Administration. This is an important first step to reining in an out of control executive branch and abolishing the precedent of ruling by executive fiat against the will of the American people.”
Judge Hanen’s ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and 25 other states, including Arizona, that argued President Obama unconstitutionally bypassed Congress when he took executive action last November.
“While this court decision temporarily blocks Obama’s unconstitutional action, we have a long way to go and must not relent in our pursuit of upholding the law. Congress should be emboldened by this decision and Senate Democrats should immediately take up the House passed DHS funding bill and allow for an open and honest debate of this legislation.”
Congressman Ruben Gallego posted on Facebook:
“This lawsuit is nothing but a political attack disguised as a lawsuit.
“The President’s executive actions will benefit Arizona’s economy and keep families together. That’s why I’m calling on Governor Ducey and State Attorney General Mark Brnovich to stop these politically motivated attempts to hurt our community and drop their lawsuit.
Congressman Trent Franks posted on Facebook:
“Upholding the constitution is the surest way to preserve the integrity of our republic. Having judges who will protect and defend our founding document is of the utmost importance.”
Senator John McCain issued the following statement:
“I strongly support the recent federal district court decision finding that President Obama exceeded his authority under the law with his latest executive order on immigration — an action that the president himself conceded as unlawful as many as 22 times over the past two years. As this issue works its way through the courts, I urge the President and Democrats to work with Republicans in Congress to secure our border once and for all and not intentionally and unilaterally subvert the rule of law.”