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AFP Feb 18, 2015, 02.52AM IST

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WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama's tactic of using executive orders to bypass a hostile Congress and drive through controversial immigration reform has run into legal trouble.

A judge in Texas has blocked an Obama order that would have protected about four million undocumented foreigners from deportation and was due to come into effect from Wednesday.

Twenty-six states -- all but two Republican-governed -- had sought an emergency injunction against the order, which is a hot political issue heading towards the 2016 presidential election.

The states had claimed Obama's move was illegal and could oblige them to provide driving licenses and other documents at great cost.

Federal judge Andrew Hanen of the US District Court in Brownsville agreed with their argument and granted a temporary injunction Monday.

"It is far preferable to have the legality of these actions determined before the fates of over four million individuals are decided," the ruling read.

The White House called the ruling wrong, saying the president had acted within his legal authority and vowed an appeal.

Obama and his Democrat allies have tried to push comprehensive immigration reform, which could eventually bring millions of new voters, many seen as likely Democrats.

Link:
US president Barack Obama vows to fight immigration ruling