Mediaboss Marketing

TRENTON Gov. Chris Christie is supporting Texas and other states suing the federal government over President Obama's amnesty program for unauthorized immigrants.

Christie this week joined governors in three states - Texas, Louisiana and South Dakota - in a court brief opposing the federal government's request to implement executive orders, according to court documents. The lawsuit stems from court proceedings initiated by 26 states after Obama announced wide-reaching executive actions on immigration in November.

New Jersey and the governor did not join the lawsuit. Rather, the governor opted to weigh in with the court arguing Obama's policies should not take effect.

Christie has been critical of Obama's immigration policies, but had yet to publicly take a position on the lawsuit that Texas officials are spearheading.

The news of Christie joining the lawsuit took some within New Jersey good-government groups by surprise, including Ari Rosmarin, public policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.

"When the lawsuit was first filed the state took no action," Rosmarin said.

"Now, to see Christie enter himself as governor on to this brief with the likes of governors of Texas, Louisiana and North Dakota is really shocking and shameful," he said. "These are not New Jersey values."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's administration filed an amici curiae brief, or a friend of the court brief, earlier this week with the U.S. Court of Appeals. The filing -- which Christie and the governors of Louisiana and South Dakota also signed onto -- opposes the U.S. Department of Justice's request to implement programs that would give some unauthorized immigrants the ability to work and obtain a driver's license.

A Christie spokesman confirmed the governor signed on, but declined to provide comment.

The filing argues the governors' states would be victim to "irreparable injuries" if the federal governments motion to implement the programs - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents - is approved.

Follow this link:
Christie supporting lawsuit challenging Obama immigration reform