A federal judge on Tuesday denied a Justice Department request to lift a
temporary hold on President Barack Obama’s executive action that sought to
shield millions of immigrants from deportation.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen refused to stay his Feb. 16 decision that
granted a preliminary injunction requested by 26 states. The U.S. government
wants the injunction lifted — allowing Obama’s action to proceed — while
it appeals Hanen’s ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in New Orleans.
The Justice Department has already asked the 5th Circuit to lift the
injunction. The appeals court was scheduled to hear arguments on whether the
injunction should be lifted on April 17.
