Discussion: The Democratic Convention and the immigration issue

This week, scholars Josh Blackman and Michael Gerhardt will discuss on Twitter the constitutional aspects of issues arising at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Today, they look at the debate over the Obama administration’s immigration policies.

In June, a divided Supreme Court said in a one-sentence per curium opinion that the judgment of the lower court in a major immigration case, United States v. Texas was affirmed by an equally divided Court, leaving in place an injunction against President Barack Obama’s recent deferred immigration policies.

The next President will undoubtedly have a big role in nominating a new Supreme Court Justice who could eventually break that tie vote if and when the case returns to the Court.

The Democratic Party, in its platform, also has made immigration a top-priority issue.

“Democrats believe we need to urgently fix our broken immigration system—which tears families apart and keeps workers in the shadows—and create a path to citizenship for law-abiding families who are here, making a better life for their families and contributing to their communities and our country,” the platform says.

To follow the discussion between our scholars on Twitter, go to our Twitter account at @ConstitutionCTR