Judge tosses Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s lawsuit challenging amnesty

A federal judge tossed Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s lawsuit seeking to halt President Obama’s new amnesty late Tuesday, ruling that while the sheriff raised critical questions, it was a battle better left to Congress and the White House than to the courts.

Story in The Washington Times:   http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/24/joe-arpaio-challenge-new-amnesty-tossed/#ixzz3MoTm6hzF

The key to this decision is in the two following paragraphs.   It basically says that it’s up to Capitol Hill to use its power of the purse to rein in Mr. Obama if lawmakers disagree with how he is setting priorities for immigration enforcement.

“Should Congress disagree with the enforcement priorities set out by DHS in the challenged policies, Congress has the ability to appropriate funds solely for removal and the president cannot refuse to expend funds appropriated by Congress,” she said.

That contradicts the claim by the House Appropriations Committee that it could have trouble forcing Mr. Obama’s hand since the agency that would carry out his amnesty, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is funded by fees.