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On the first of two days of her historic confirmation hearings, U.S. Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch was grilled by the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday on same-sex marriage, the legalization of marijuana, prison sentencing reforms and her similarities to her would-be predecessor, Attorney General Eric Holder. But it was President Barack Obamas recent executive action on immigration, a flashpoint issue for the GOP, that dominated the hearing. If confirmed, Lynch would become the first African American woman to lead the Justice Department.

Lynch told the Senate panel that while she wasn't involved in advising Obama's executive actions -- an order offering millions of undocumented immigrants work permits and multiyear postponements of deportation proceedings -- "I don't see any reason to doubt the reasonableness of those views." GOP leaders have increasingly expressed frustration for months over the White House's immigration policies, with some suggesting that any tone deafness from Lynch could derail her confirmation.

The first questions on the immigration policy came at the top of the hearing from committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who asked Lynch whether there was a legal framework for Obama's delayed deportation plan announced in November. "I have had occasion to look at the Office of Legal Counsel opinion through which the Department of Homeland Security sought legal guidance there, as well as some of the letters from constitutional scholars who've looked at the similar issue. And certainly it seems to be a reasonable discussion of legal precedent," Lynch said.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, one of the most aggressive of the Republican committee members at Wednesday's hearing, questioned whether legal issues would arise if immigrants who came into the country unlawfully were denied equal treatment by employers who preferred to hire American citizens. Lynch told Sessions he had raised an "important point" about the employment status of undocumented immigrants, but she did not directly answer the question, deferring it for further legal review. The "right to work is shared by everyone in this country regardless of how they came here," Lynch said. She later clarified that comment, sayingshe did not believe undocumented immigrants had the right to work in the U.S.

Lynch is best known for her work in the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York, where, among other accomplishments, she cracked down on American businessmen who exploited undocumented immigrants at a chain of convenience stores. In 2013, Lynch announced the arrests of several 7-Eleven store operators on charges including harboring dozens of immigrants, falsifying their identities and stealing their wages. These [store operators] ruthlessly exploited their immigrant employees, stealing their wages and requiring them to live in unregulated boardinghouses, in effect creating a modern-day plantation system, Lynch said in a statement announcing the charges. As this case shows, we are committed to preserving the rule of law and protecting our communities from the abuses of corrupt businessmen seeking to gain illegal advantage."

Early outside reactions to Lynchs first day before the Senate panel were divided. Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said Lynch said all the right things to establish her credentials. Loretta Lynchs testimony today once again demonstrated the impeccable record, unwavering commitment to public service and thoughtful consideration of the issues, Henderson said in a statement released Wednesday. Her pledge to be an independent attorney general to protect and defend our Constitution, to safeguard our people, and to stand as the leader and public servant that they deserve shows the approach she will take to uphold the law for all Americans.

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Immigration Reform 2015: Obama Immigrant Actions Backed By Loretta Lynch During Attorney General Nomination Hearing

Immigration Reform, Helpful or Harmful?
This video is about Immigration Reform, Helpful or Harmful?

By: wdutra15

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Immigration Reform, Helpful or Harmful? - Video

Struggling local economies need undocumented immigrants to grow the workforce and create more jobs, the White House said Monday in its latest pitch to sell the nation on President Barack Obama's plan to delay deportations for millions of people living in the U.S. without legal status. "These actions not only live up to our heritage as a nation but are essential to building on our hopes for a brighter future," White House officials said in a statement. "In fact, the president's steps will allow people to contribute more fully to their communities and spark an economic boost for every single state."

The Obama administration's push for immigration reform included a map that allows Americans to look up how their state will benefit from the White House's plan. California, for example, would allegedly see an $11.7 billion increase in its gross domestic product over the next decade and an increase of $170 a year in the average wage for all U.S.-born workers. New York could boost its GDP by $7 billion during the same time under Obama's immigration proposal, according to the White House. The map can be seen here.

Obama announced in November that he would sidestep a divided Congress and use his executive authority to help immigrants obtain work permits and avoid deportation. The effort is aimed at illegal immigrants with children who are U.S. citizens. The president's Council of Economic Advisers has said the plan would grow the U.S. economy by $90 billion to $210 billion by 2025.

Critics counter that Obama's overhaul would hurt foreign-born workers, increase taxes as immigrants sign up for public benefits and encourage illegal immigration. On Monday, two more states joined a legal battle against the Obama administration's executive action on immigration, meaning 26 states are now fighting the order in a federal court in Texas, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit led by Texas accuses the White House of "trampling" the Constitution.

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Immigration Reform 2015: Obama Immigrant Plan Will Boost Economy, Help States, White House Says

Immigration Reform: Common Que

By: Alex Vachon

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Immigration Reform: Common Que - Video

"You don't punish a child for something his parents did," he said during an appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

READ: 2016 race kicks off in Iowa

But, straddling a line that has flummoxed Republicans in recent presidential races, Huckabee still took a shot at President Barack Obama, who in 2012 moved to stop the deportation of those undocumented immigrants, saying Obama, "didn't have the authority to do it."

"There's a process. We have a thing called the Constitution, and the Constitution doesn't allow the chief executive just to make up law," he said.

Huckabee's comments came as he defended state policies that allow undocumented immigrants known as "Dreamers" to qualify for in-state college tuition -- and as he explores a run for president.

The former Arkansas governor, Fox News host and winner of the 2008 Iowa caucuses said he won't announce a decision on running for the White House until the spring, but added: "I think it's pretty evident that I'm moving in that direction."

He spent Saturday at a conservative summit hosted by Iowa Rep. Steve King, the anti-immigration firebrand, which was attended by several top GOP 2016 hopefuls.

SEE ALSO: Scott Walker adds key Iowa strategist to 2016 team

The issue of immigration could be a key one in the GOP's 2016 nominating process. In the wake of Obama's 2012 defeat of Republican nominee Mitt Romney, party officials had called for a comprehensive immigration overhaul that could help Republicans appeal to Hispanics.

Since then, though, the party has shifted to the right, blasting Obama for his handling of border security and saying his executive actions on immigration have spoiled all chances of moving an immigration reform bill through Congress.

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Huckabee seeks to straddle line on immigration