Obama immigration action illegal, divisive, say two N.J. congressmen

President Barack Obama announced this week he’s going to protect as many as 5 million unauthorized immigrants from deportation through executive action.

What do local Republicans, who have traditionally been against amnesty, think about the move?

U.S. Rep.Leonard Lance, who represents New Jersey’s 7th District, said the president’s actions are unlawful.

“As David Gergen, the well-respected columnist, indicated, when a president in day-to-day operations can decide which laws to enforce and which to ignore, where are the limits on his power?” he said. “Where are the checks and balances so carefully constructed in the Constitution?”

Lance, however, is not in favor of using the threat of a government shutdown as leverage against Obama. Instead, he wants to pursue legal action against the administration.

Another New Jersey Republican, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, said Obama’s action hurts the chances of bipartisan immigration reform.