Texas Judge Won't Lift Block on Immigration Order

A federal judge in Texas has ruled again against President Barack Obama's executive action that protects some 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Late Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville refused to lift the preliminary injunction against the action that he granted Feb. 16.

Texas and 25 other states have filed a lawsuit to overturn the executive action.  They argued that it's unconstitutional and forces them to spend more on law enforcement, health care, and education.

Justice Department attorneys have argued the ruling against the president's action harms "the interests of the public and of third parties who will be deprived of significant law enforcement and humanitarian benefits of prompt implementation" of the executive action.

The White House has yet to comment on Judge Hanen's ruling.

The Justice Department is appealing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to lift the judge's injunction. The court is scheduled to hear arguments on the case April 17.