Transcript for Supreme Court Begins Hearing Case Against Obama's Immigration Plan

ABC's three part outside the Supreme Court we're inside the justice is just wrapped up hearing arguments. In that case against president. Obama's unilateral action on in the Greece and now this case as cute very important factors at play here you have the fate of more than four million undocumented immigrants. And also whether or not president has the right to. Act independently if congress doesn't act and this on the action team actor at the Senate's passing. Emling immigration reform of the house field to move on. Inside their hearing argument outside. Yeah out tonight that crown anybody into everything that he has denied to many. Yeah I'm here. Yeah. Carrie you're the executive director banana boat and doing served an element rank quite the talent. We're all we. It. But what's at stake beyond legal theories of the case and separation of powers vs who has standing. The fact that five million immigrant families will either be able to live with dignity with driver's licenses and work permits. Protection against deportation in. Or go live in fear subject. Deportation. Congress has failed to act the administration stepped then maybe they did a number of decisions within its discretionary authority. This has been the stretcher authority has been used for sixty years by presidents we kill the administration has very strong legal standing. Where were adjusted in the families themselves whether they delivered the kind of dignity. It matter that has little different viewers might not be aware against blame President Obama in November 2000 teens took unilateral acts on him. Playing they had been docked dot sheriff's. So. The president on November 14 said. We're gonna take the following actions congress doesn't give us enough money to deport everyone is eleven million undocumented immigrants settled in America. What we're gonna do was put the priority on recent word processors and on criminals. And instead what we do take the lowest priority cases and just tell them on a one violent bases after an interview you are a low priority. You can stay here without fear of deportation and you can have a work permit. A total of five million people would benefit from these programs. Out there was a previous program called doctor deferred action for childhood rivals that helped the so called dreamers. And adopt an expansion I don't dreamers are people do our children came here exactly. Under the equity team right back days. Exactly so you have a lot of young people who grew up with American but they weren't born in this country who now have work permits driver's licenses are going to college final moments. Buying cars it's better. And it's been a huge change in their lives this the program that's under review by the court would expand that to about four point three million more people. And they also includes. Parents the American citizens at people who came here that's threatening here and there. Now that's right after lived here five years live primed for a have kids who are either permanent residents are US citizens. The twenty I think it's depleted by led by tax. I think the president that doesn't have the authority to unilaterally making recent La. That threat said its state of Texas is saying. It's over to breach of its authority that only congress should pass laws to change legal status. The administration says and this is reported do we agree wit. That is that we're not changing legal status were just saying that if you're low priority. You're not going to be targeted hand and one by one basis you're eligible for work permit. So this is something that president George H. W. Bush did for 40% of the undocumented population back in 1990 it wasn't controversial at all. It's controversial route because the Republicans are so intent on stopping anything President Obama. I mean my argue frank day. You have more than half of the state and challenging there CB them obviously and lower courts and greatly. Yeah apparently make it all the way I'm going. Well we're thrilled that the Supreme Court because they've that the state of Texas went political Forbes choppy that would to a friend in Brownsville Texas keep blood. They got a very conservative judgmental but where they wanted they went to the very conservative fifth. Fifth circuit out of appeals they got a good decision but now now the Supreme Court finally make a decision all of the other cases. Like this that have been adjudicated I've been thrown out on stand. What we think when I predict judge Robertson the others will say is wait a minute. The state of Texas cannot prove that their armed violence and the fact they subsidized driver's licenses for all the people of Texas. Does not mean that it would be become eligible for driver's licenses they have standing to bring a suit with a few areas. From may be the justices that by allowing states to suit anytime there's a federal agency changed. Reports will be clogged with federal agency lawsuits and the courts will be making political decisions that George Roberts thinks that's our best left. To the political. Dropping the idea I am going to. I think there will be a majority in favor of the government's position that the program will be able to go into effect. Because the state of Texas is really reaching saying that because more people are gonna be eligible for driver's licenses therefore. There are suffering a heart. Ellen on minor viewers there are only eight that is currently we. Not me or current. Where. He is currently so a lot of people are concerned that this case actually going to be let it didn't work or wood but uphold the lower court. Verdict and decision. There was. So there's always the possibility of a time for a four. My hope I think many people are hoping that there will be a majority that they will make a decision. Com and that. I think most people don't think you'll go against the government's position against immigrants. Whether it's the time or whether it goes to war with. Hundreds of government is is sort of the debate. We're optimistic that they think that the state of Texas has a weak case. Bob Obama administration is a strong case and that in fact the use of its discretionary authority is done on a daily basis. That if the courts say no you can't use that discretionary authority and if fact it's going to clog up government even worse an authority on ago. I'm reluctantly Jordan actually find out that we also. About family we have some families are joining us over here so driven definitely hear she's hot. They are invited. The audience and aren't like. I'm any idea I imagine if this guy I am David link act as he could be beneficial for your daughter. I'm kid we are presented dreamers that is an accident. Along with the age just isn't an act out. We've been doing paint. You're pregnant mother present all the 58. This weekend for the past few days I would infinite being partly have a lot of spots up there. Enactment that your daughter here. Can't Bennett the continent looked at prevent mother let me. The because it happened at the school and that he didn't have buses. I hooked up gas. I'm not used and what it means you don't know your mom. Come out as fidelity. Ten years old and you were born here. I mean you could. Her mom. It happened. Yeah. Well you are you scared. Ever about. Now as. Constance. I'm within minutes up. I got these fees are if I'm McNabb. And so it includes Florida and president of on the and allow her to register and great yeah. What you wanna do when you got. Yeah. I'm a doctor. You know that Clark and quality and I want to go out I even Unisys is a chance to see his seniors and we can't. And Harriet and I thank him season. I just suddenly go vote permanent isn't meant as long time in prison. And I EA. My. I'm not unfriendly Cuba and meet the money. Amazon com home run in the fifth and that aren't getting there and you like doing. And you have a daughter. I'm. Look. On its own. This and that that it. Up and and tell us about you here. It was I have me thinking I was sitting business and a minor in lock. Hiking different institute in my news. C minus from my hands school and everything you docket that idea that you qualified for a president Obama's 2012. Deferred action without their rivals when all of you when you arrived and I think I was going in Mexico and what you remember about Mexico. I am proud Simeon is not being highly faces there from my family back Anthony went on his dad. The and they told you like your duck status they're and you had to go back with that in. Well I have to waste of fitness and get a degree an outbreak at him as my home. As my family friends who that would make my dreams I would have anything. And I hear your obviously very emotional issue and so what you want people to know when they hear about this case and they hear it day you know. There is when he 66 going against it the hot seat because the house I think what you want them anywhere I'm happy to be aware that. There breaking our dreams. There's millions apparently can benefit from this year's separating her family. Now we just come here for a future for them in dream that read all about how we all lines. And they should really take into consideration that we are American. And I obviously agree that a big sticking point in this election cycle. What is it like for use here and presidential candidates talk about building a line and everybody who. Yeah. That's. I please. Have a hard time understanding that because. Can't believe they might stop something done. But there's millions of immigrants here. And will pay taxes allotments then it's just so happened. I think he is expected. And when immediately here. I'm quite certain at at my instance it. I different things and Tennessee on May eventually being angry. Thank you. I'm out doing ABC senior national correspondent Jim Hunt land. Yeah history and you inside the corps and those are. Wet dream hearing from the deck. While it's clear that you know there are. Its floor of liberal judges. Car for the federal government for president Obama's. The ability hockey they're asking very critical questions of taxes. They were asking questions about you know. Texas is saying. The reason why they don't want. To do this as a gonna have a lot of undocumented immigrants who. And then they'll have to give driver's licenses and that'll cost them lots of money and is it that secondly they are not. I think that's right California is clearly in the sex the data that they say they have about 400000. People it would be affected by what the president wants him. So yeah within the judges were asking the liberal judges were asking taxes will wait a minute why do you just. Make the lines longer make people wait longer don't hire went to the people don't read your costs. Or white it can decide not to give them drownings mrs. Choose to separate them out. So that's that's one line question. And apparently rather Kate that's the holidays are well it did in the course is divided the other way before conservative was good look at some conservative. Including an in this one Kennedy was believed to be a swing judgment and I can't tip but questions are asking. There is paying a big concern of the poor and make this course very blunt yeah Justice Roberts doesn't want to. Visit the news. Appearance. Courses and a decision. This is and I let that they. I'd love yeah. Okay and. Didn't disclose any idea is this latest ask you look quick size limit and I'm listening to Martin Luther I have right. I ask you personally. One of the things I noticed inside. Was the questions well briefed him about standing among those. Don't let us Texans to stop giving driver's licenses to those who beat movement there's very little about. Asked about the famine it's very little asked about the impact of this is that something you expect it. Yet I thought that they would that's why I'm happy because you don't let them both on our side. When of the things that it that way. That the Republican lawyer earth. Admitted that Obama. Has the right and the authority to step back and up and not support the port million. I wasn't surprised that would think they admitted to and poorly. In the fifth circuit it's working here. What they. What you just can't get on the driver's life but it can't work that they can't park another sport let them as they and the United States before. Clearly established yet they're not going to be deported irony. The president is invited department and with the three and the Republican argument what. We cannot park resident work done in the lineup of drivers like that work for them that you and I felt another right. And better than they drive with a drivers and insurance and isn't it better that they brightly that worked for him being attacked them building other responsibilities. Publicly at what they think everything should rock. They should they should yield up about happy. The ability to think they're. Go in the days they seem to them I think Texas attorney seemed to acknowledge. What's the congress was not given you guys. Are not giving the president the resources. The port eleven million even if he wanted to turn. And setting up of the my you know. Made that point through it looked at the dumb enough money with them on the death. That it was enough money or million. I've seen with this book CBS won their votes in and it and the other just Kanye that the might get a private profit. It's 400000 a year and I don't work. The very fun. That it's come here though the president of the United States. Don't support them four million up that never given up more money than them or 400000 at a time so isn't it logical and rational. To say that though that the lowest priorities. That many of them within that would threaten networking and it is they kept it advocates likely make that is okay. McCain spent each individual immigrants with mud at me. Eric is individually if that might well everybody's been here by your that he committed a crime at American citizens children's show up. You have to submit those documents yet to pay for your background check. And then once that's gone through yet been here right here but yet there is apparently I'm that didn't get a work permit. I don't know what about these arguments about getting benefit you cant get a thing of federal. What you can do these you can work. Yeah and security due date but you got it that you got to pick and and you could only get out of the folks security program. What you can get out of those security program but look. That's for thank you when there are about them here you can point. Thieves of security about that run out of money well and twenty year. And Leslie do what. And let me start charging the American people more money and I think it all out and prop up. And let you get 1112 million people on the block things obscurity but the patent up. We know from study. Millions of the undocumented. They do. The -- security check in with federal. But current players never the government isn't there a way to make a better look if your argument did. The president has the authority to stop the deportation and his second argument being. OK and of them worked for him but I congress of the united. The flying Homeland Security. An important long ago. Parents think tournament you know missing. Was just so obviously in Chicago and admitted yeah. Yeah. I know it's your good thing yeah same thing it doesn't. Yeah how they would I'm yeah. I make it sound and we go inside. In fact the and we're hearing a shame on you because. Yeah. Okay time yeah. Now you Obama. Yeah. Thinking. Yes and again Lindsay can you let me get Mike is one side and. Now because there were there is a group of conservative justices who whose questions word to the United States government. Why. Texas has to prove that it's been damaged by this. And his and it damages that they're gonna have to pay more money but to hire more employees. To process more driver's license. That was really the question. That was the question that the conservatives. We're after the after the death in Texas was yes but the answer from the liberals side was waning minutes. When I just make the lines are long at the MB make a little longer to hire an excellent one question not asked is what only just raise the price. It was a net and on the looking into the that is one of the questions and one whose. What you heard from the brink ever really focusing on this doesn't work the right. Sierra dead at the detective and a 105 other states have the right to see the federal government at all. More snow event. Yeah. Four million and that's an interesting elements of this case because it they were living don't happen. The federal government the rest goes away but. I would never get to the merits of it. They have two runs. And get federal government is doing its. World number one argument is Texas doesn't look in his courtroom prostate cancer and federal government is if you allow that happened back Justin Speier says. Question plus. If we allow this to happen that means any time a state disagrees with the with the law the federal government passes the cost them money. They'll be in here to protest that won't. In the proper venue that putting cuts expire and it's worked. The Republicans in this case to win the next election. So they win the next election then he could that the next president to overturn. What when President Obama has done it wants to do that's the that's the correct. Then you would adequately. So that's that's the beginning. If they ever get pat to get past that you decide Texas does belong here and they go to the merits of the case most of the questions about standing by over the next. The merits of the case aren't whether it's president of the United States overstepped its. An independent and overstepping his power as costs taxes Muslims. It's damage. Here's the 400000. Immigrants will be allowed. Now and if I'm Alan and Texas the air and hunting paint. And to get behind and that. That's that's a precedent there is an air on whether or not quite as deep. He is here and swing vote there. Justice Roberts good. ENN previous case and it ain't that what it could bring him. He asked me to explain in Massachusetts yes that this isn't it that it's drama ED AB massachusetts' rate doesn't drivers I have voted I'm yeah. The majority thing they did compared to bring the case it would. In that case they weren't the federal government's giving benefits. But to certain amount in Massachusetts and the EPA for conforming to EPA regulates. Those who were not getting the benefits. And say. We're having to pay higher taxes now. You're giving benefits of these other. The justice said Justice Roberts said in his news in his. Minority report that that's not right because. Savings I just explain. That leaves anytime the government passes something you don't like a state doesn't like the coming year deplored and proper venue predicting. Taking had a isn't. That pools that street. It's what we meet its equities at. I don't want to go too far because he you know we don't want to yes. What this court is to. Look it's clear that there at the very core conservatives and there's more liberalism and what he wanted to see. And if the government support of fort tied the federal government problem. Head by an involved it's been explained he'd like courtroom observers. This just justice. Roberts. Who's in charge of the board doesn't want to make this look like a political decision he's interested. In the credibility or does not go to war. Down party lines. Anthony restaurant. So many people believe there will be a decision. When I saw in there. Before liberals were very strong in their beliefs can be hard for me to. Believe that they would be the ones. Justice Roberts and Justice Kennedy. We're not his vociferous and not as strong there. Questioning isn't normally dark and that would he would it was going to be compromise that's why would look for companies. I'm not predicting that this thing that's where I would look. Apple and any predictions you're from the choir and locked away and tell the end of June where that final ten and what's gonna happen in. Floor immigration reform here in the United States. ABC news answering a much something.

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