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            Obama Cautions Against Domestic Security Agency Shutdown

   by VOA News

   U.S. President Barack Obama says a partial shutdown of the Department
   of Homeland Security would have a direct impact on the economy, as well
   as national security.

   Speaking to a state governors meeting at the White House, Obama said a
   partial shutdown of the agency would mean more than 100,000 border
   patrol, port inspection and airport security agents would be left
   without a paycheck.

   The agency's $40-billion budget is set to run out this week because of
   a political dispute over immigration. Most of the department's 230,000
   employees would  keep working, but would not receive pay until Congress
   authorizes funding.

   Watch related video report by VOA's Michael Bowman

   ''
   In November, the president made sweeping changes to immigration rules
   through executive order. Republicans, who say the president has
   overstepped his authority, are blocking funding for the agency unless
   Democrats agree to cancel the executive order.

   Meanwhile, the U.S. government has asked a federal judge in Texas to
   lift his temporary hold on Obama's action to shield millions of
   immigrants from deportation.

   Last week, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen issued a preliminary
   injunction sought by 26 states to halt the president's immigration
   order that would prevent the deportation of as many as five million
   people who are in the country illegally.

   The Justice Department is asking the judge to put his ruling aside,
   which would keep the executive actions in place, while the federal
   government appeals the decision.

   Most Democrats continue to support Obama's expansion of immigrant
   rights. The House minority leader, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, says the
   president's immigration actions are similar to those undertaken by
   previous U.S. presidents, including Republicans.

   The president's executive order included expansion of a program that
   protects young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the
   United States illegally by their parents.

   The program was to begin receiving applications on Wednesday. The
   president's order would also protect parents of U.S. citizens and
   permanent residents who have been in the country for at least five
   years, and had committed no serious crimes.

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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-cautions-against-domestic-security-agency-shutdown/2655346.html