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In a blow to President Barack Obama’s controversial immigration reform plan, a federal appeals court on Tuesday denied a request from Department of Justice lawyers to allow the executive order to move forward pending appeal, reports CNN.

The decision represents a victory for Texas and 25 other states challenging the administration’s actions, which were blocked by a District Court judge in February. As a result of Tuesday’s decision, eligible undocumented immigrants will not be able to apply for the programs aimed at easing deportation threats.

From CNN:

“Because the government is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its appeal of the injunction, we deny the motion for stay and the request to narrow the scope of the injunction,” according to the 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

At issue is the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that permits teenagers and young adults who were born outside of the United States, but raised in the country, to apply for protection from deportation and for employment authorizations.

The White House brushed back talk of the order’s defeat. Brandi Hoffine, a White House spokeswoman, said the judges in the Fifth Circuit misinterpreted the facts and the law, writes the cable news station.

“President Obama’s immigration executive actions are fully consistent with the law,” Hoffine said. “The President’s actions were designed to bring greater accountability to our broken immigration system, grow the economy, and keep our communities safe.”

Justice Department lawyers are evaluating the ruling and considering next steps, the Obama administration tells the news outlet.

SOURCE: CNN | VIDEO SOURCE: NDN

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