Federal Judge Enjoins DAPA, Expanded DACA, Says Programs Aren’t Exercise of Discretion

The two deferred action programs that drew the most attention when President Barack Obama announced various immigration policies in November are on hold following a ruling by a federal judge in Texas late Feb. 16 (Texas v. United States, S.D. Tex., 1:14-cv-00254, preliminary injunction issued 2/16/15).

Judge Andrew S. Hanen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction preventing the deferred action for parents of Americans and lawful permanent residents (DAPA) program and the expanded deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) program from going into effect.

Both programs were announced ...