17 states are suing President Barack Obama over his recent executive actions on immigration, which shields from deportation up to 5 million people who are in the country illegally.
The lawsuit claims that Obama violated the ‘Take Care Clause’ of the U.S. Constitution that limits presidential power, that the federal government violated rule-making procedures, and that the order will “exacerbate the humanitarian crisis along the southern border.”
The lawsuit is led by Texas Attorney General and Governor-elect Greg Abbott, who said in a statement that Obama’s executive action “tramples” the Constitution. Abbott is scheduled to meet with Obama in the White House tomorrow with other newly-elected governors.
The states involved in the lawsuit are Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The House has also introduced a bill to restrict Obama’s power on immigration, but in a statement released today the White House said the bill “would have devastating consequences” and that Obama would likely veto it if it passes.
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Write to Tessa Berenson at tessa.Rogers@time.com