Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's
lawsuit challenging President Barack Obama's sweeping orders that protect millions of illegal aliens — dismissed by a federal judge last month — is back on the front burner, with an appeals court Wednesday ordering an accelerated hearing in the constitutional case.
Larry Klayman, Arpaio's lawyer and founder of the watchdog group Freedom Watch, had argued an expedited hearing schedule for an appeal
was crucial to prevent the immigration orders from taking effect this spring.
"It is a big victory to Sheriff Arpaio and indeed the American people that the D.C. Circuit recognized the need for this case to be quickly resolved before Obama's unconstitutional amnesty program goes into full effect…"
Klayman said in a statement.
"There are constitutional issues of great magnitude at stake and we are confident that the D.C. Circuit will put a legal stop to this illegal activity, which seeks to end-run congressional authority. I am grateful for Sheriff Arpaio's courage in pursuing this very necessary legal action."
On Dec. 23, Federal District Court Judge Beryl Howell dismissed the suit filed by the self-proclaimed "America's toughest sheriff'," saying the Maricopa County law enforcement official lacked the legal standing to bring the case on constitutional grounds.
But Klayman later slammed Howell,
telling Newsmax TV she was "highly political," basing her ruling in the important case on "her subjective politics."
The key appellate court ruling came the same day
the House voted to block funding for the controversial executive order, which protects millions from deportation and lets them work legally in the United States.
The 236-191 vote came on a broad bill that would provide nearly $40 billion to finance the Homeland Security Department through the rest of the budget year.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.