Montana Attorney General Tim Fox issued the following statement after today’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court leaves in place an earlier Fifth Circuit ruling halting President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
“The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the victory that Montana and other states won when the Fifth Circuit suspended President Obama’s illegal executive actions on immigration. The message is clear: no president can unilaterally change the law. The president’s duty is to faithfully execute the laws enacted by the peoples’ elected representatives in Congress. President Obama cannot ignore or change those laws to advance his own agenda. I will continue to stand up for Montana and build on our successes pushing back against federal overreach on coal, Waters of the U.S., and more.”
In 2014, Montana and other states filed suit against several executive actions that the president undertook unilaterally, actions that would effectively grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. In February 2015, a federal judge issued an injunction that prevented the new program from taking effect. In May 2015, a federal court panel refused to let the program continue while it considered the appeal. In November 2015, the Fifth Circuit ruled on the case and upheld the injunction. Today’s ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the appeal marks the fourth time federal courts have taken action siding with Montana and the other states on this legal challenge.
Senator Steve Daines: “Yet again, President Obama’s regulatory overreach and abuse of power has been blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court. I thank Attorney General Tim Fox for his leadership on the issue and for fighting for the rule of law.”
In April, Daines joined 42 Senators in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Montana’s legal challenge.
Congressman Ryan Zinke: “Today’s decision upholds the challenge against President Obama’s executive amnesty, and it’s a victory for the Constitution and for Montana. This decision proves that the executive branch is not more powerful than the people. While it is a victory, it is also a stark reminder of how incredibly important this upcoming election is for the future of the court and our nation. Attorney General Tim Fox is a steadfast defender of Montana and the U.S. Constitution. I am proud to work alongside Fox to get our nation on the right course.”
In March, Congressman Zinke voted for and the House adopted H. Res. 639, authorizing Speaker Paul Ryan to file an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Montana’s legal challenge.