WASHINGTON, DC . . . . Following the President's statement on his Administration's immigration policy and new executive actions, Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) released the following statement:

         "The President's announcement that he will use executive action to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation ignores U.S. law and the will of the American people and circumvents Congress and the Constitution. This Presidential overreach discredits all those who became citizens through the legal process and will only encourage more to illegally immigrate to our country.”

          On November 18th, Rep. Hall joined his colleagues on a letter authored by Rep. Joe Barton imploring the President to honor the promise he made on Nov. 5 when he stated that he would reach out to Congressional leaders, Republican and Democrat, to “find out how it is that they want to proceed.  And if they want to get a bill done -- whether it’s during the lame duck or next year -- I'm eager to see what they have to offer.”  

          In a statement released in July in support of Speaker Boehner’s lawsuit against President Obama for actions inconsistent with his duties outlined in the Constitution, Hall stated:

“Every President and Member of Congress, when they are sworn in, makes an oath to uphold America’s Constitution and protect our Nation’s democracy. It is our most important duty. A vital part of our Constitution’s foundation is that of proper checks and balances – it is why our democracy, though imperfect, works.  I have been vocal in my opposition to this President’s loose interpretation of the Constitution since he was first elected to office. He has ignored laws outright, selectively enforced others, and at times created laws of his own through an abusive use of executive actions.

“No President should be able to rewrite laws for convenience or personal conscience. This lawsuit is necessary if we are to protect and rebalance the Constitution’s separation of powers. The American people deserve true democracy.”

Rep. Hall co-sponsored the following immigration legislation during the 113th Congress:

H.R. 830, Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE Act)

H.R. 997, English Language Unity Act

H.R. 1417, Border Security Results Act of 2013

H.R. 1772, Legal Workforce Act

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