After a federal appeals court on Monday night refused to lift an injunction against the implementation of President Obama's executive actions on immigration, this legal showdown may soon be heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, possibly setting up a ruling right in the middle of next year's campaign for President.
"The district court did not err and mos assuredly did not abuse its discretion," wrote the judges who voted two-to-one to keep the President's plans on hold.
The decision won the immediate praise of Republicans in Congress.
"Today’s decision from the federal appeals court is a victory for the Constitution and the American people," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).
For the White House and Democrats, it was another legal setback in the effort to prevent some four to five million people - who are in the United States illegally - from being deported.
"Today’s ruling is not a surprise but is still a disappointment," said Ben Monterroso, head of the pro-immigration group Mi Familia Vota.
"We have understood from the beginning of this politically driven lawsuit that the case would likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court," he added.
The Obama Administration has several options: appeal this ruling, ask the full Fifth Circuit to hear the arguments against the injunction, or take the matter straight to the U.S. Supreme Court.
If the Supreme Court were to accept the matter, then the arguments would likely take place next year - just as people are voting in primaries and caucuses - setting up a decision during the summer of a race for President.
The full decision - majority and minority opinion - can be found on the website of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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