Obama fights to legalize 4 million illegal immigrants

'Fundamentally, we don't think the president has the statutory or constitutional authority to issue these executive actions.'

U.S. President Barack Obama's executive action will be heard before the Supreme Court on Monday, where a group of 26 states, led by Texas, will argue the overzealous president overstepped his authority.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In the Supreme Court case United States v. Texas, Obama has called for 4 million illegals currently residing in the United States to be granted citizenship.

Should Obama's plan succeed, he believes the newly legalized immigrants can contribute to tax collections, spur the economy and give them access to federal "earned-benefit" programs.

Though not all immigrants would be granted citizenship, and those who have criminal records will not be eligible for any of the aforementioned benefits, 26 states will face-off with the President in Supreme Court on Monday to fight the executive decision.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told the Associated Press, ""Fundamentally, we don't think the president has the statutory or constitutional authority to issue these executive actions."

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court is extremely limited as there are currently only eight justices.

Josh Blackman, a constitutional law professor at the South Texas College of Law and who helped file a legal brief backing the lawsuit against Obama's programs, told The Hill: "The 500-pound gorilla is the empty chair of Justice [Antonin Scalia. It has a significant impact on the outcome of the case. Because we're down to only eight justices, there is a distinct possibility of a tie."

David Leopold, the former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, stated: "What happens then is what we call judicial chaos. It would open the door to a floodgate of cases trying to challenge the injunction."

While several states plan to fight the decision under concerns of legality, job availability and a heavier reliance on state and federal programs, immigrant rights groups hope Obama wins.

"It's not permanent status, not a green card, not a path to citizenship," Angela Maria Kelley, an immigration expert at the Center for American Progress stated. "It doesn't get you a ticket into a voting booth. At best, it's a tolerated presence."

Meanwhile, President Obama simply stated, "We'll bring more undocumented immigrants out of the shadows so they can play by the rules, pay their full share of taxes, pass a criminal background check, and get right with the law."

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