A split Supreme Court could spoil Obama's executive action on immigration

Supreme Court chamber.
(Image credit: iStock)

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday for a challenge to President Obama's executive action on immigration. Obama's plan would allow for more than four million unauthorized parents of lawful residents to apply for a program protecting them from deportation and allowing them to work legally. With an even eight justices remaining after the death of Antonin Scalia, the possible 4-4 split between the conservative and the liberal sides of the court would void Obama's plan.

At question for the justices is if Obama abused his executive powers by issuing the actions. Texas and 26 other states have challenged the actions as being an overreach.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.