Obama Plan to Protect Immigrants May Be Doomed

A sweeping plan by President Obama to protect immigrants from deportation might be in trouble. Arguments in the Supreme Court on Monday suggested justices were headed for a 4-4 split, reports the Los Angeles Times. If that proves true when the decision is announced in June, it's bad news for the administration because it means a lower-court ruling blocking the plan would remain in place, reports the Hill. Justice Anthony Kennedy sounded as if he thought that Obama overstepped his authority when he granted protection to about 4 million immigrants, mostly the parents of young US citizens. "That's a legislative, not an executive act," said Kennedy of the move. "It's as if the president is setting the policy and the Congress is executing it. That seems upside down."

Some coverage:

• The AP isn't so sure about Chief Justice John Roberts' position. He "asked questions suggesting he could side with the administration if there were a small change in the proposed programs."
• And in a preview before the arguments, the New York Times said conservatives were worried Roberts would avoid a big-picture decision and "disappoint them again in a challenge to another major Obama initiative."
• The Washington Post looks at the part of the nation that will be affected perhaps more than any other: Los Angeles County.
• The Huffington Post talks with "Jane Doe #2," a mother who is part of the case.
• Read an explainer of the case, and Obama's initiative, at Vox.

(More US Supreme Court stories.)