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Governor-Elect Greg Abbott Says No Decision Yet On Obama Immigration Suit

Doualy Xaykaothao
/
KERA News

Republican Gov.-elect Greg Abbott says "odds favor" that Texas will sue the Obama administration over executive actions on immigration but is stopping short of his earlier vow to file a lawsuit.

The outgoing Texas attorney general said Monday his office will finalize a decision within two weeks. After President Barack Obama announced his unilateral order last week, Abbott had "pledged" quick action.

It has become Abbott's first major issue since his landslide victory to succeed Gov. Rick Perry.

Obama's actions are designed to spare nearly 5 million people living in the U.S. illegally from deportation. Abbott says Texas has unique standing to file a challenge because of the outsize impact the order would have on the state.

Abbott has sued the Obama administration 30 times as attorney general.