WASHINGTON (AP) — Tennessee and 25 other states have blocked President Obama’s attempts to shield millions of immigrants from deportation thanks to a 4-4 decision announced by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The justices' one-sentence opinion delivered Thursday morning effectively kills the plan for the duration of Obama's presidency.
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 Tennessee and 24 other Republican-dominated states in challenging the program Obama announced in November 2014. Congressional Republicans also backed the states' lawsuit.