This week, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas.  This lawsuit involves the challenge by Texas and 25 other States to the Obama administration’s deferred-action policy for certain undocumented immigrants.

President Obama’s deferred action initiatives could provide temporary status and work permits for over four million people who are in the U.S. undocumented.   To qualify for deferred action, individuals must have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 2010, register with the government and pass a criminal background check.

The Court is expected to decide by June whether the President’s deferred action initiatives (DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and DAPA, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) outlined in November 2014, can move forward.   The vacancy on the Court makes a 4-4 deadlock possible; a deadlock would prevent the President’s plan from moving forward.

The main issue to decide is whether Texas has standing – a sufficient stake in the outcome of the case to file a lawsuit against the Executive Branch.