Immigration Reform 2015 News: Boehner Draws Democrats' Fire With Threat To Sue Obama Over Immigration Policies

Republican House Speaker John Boehner drew fire from Democrats on Tuesday with his statement declaring his plans to sue President Barack Obama over his immigration program last year, which stopped the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

"Our team has been working on litigation. We are finalizing a plan to authorize litigation on this issue—one we believe gives us the best chance of success," Boehner told House Republicans in a meeting on Tuesday, according to the National Journal.

Obama's Immigration Accountability Executive Actions include prioritizing the deportation of people who are suspected of terrorism, violent criminals, gang members and recent border crossers; and deferring the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for five years and are parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

They will not be deported and can work for three years at a time if they register, submit biometric data, pass background checks and pay taxes.

He also expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, by granting relief from deportation for three years to people who entered the U.S. as children and before Jan. 1, 2010.

The Republicans' plan to sue Obama immediately drew a harsh rejoinder from the Democrats.

"Republicans control both houses of Congress, but Speaker Boehner still doesn't have the wherewithal to legislate. House Republicans' latest lawsuit against the President is an embarrassing admission of failure," said Drew Hammill, spokesperson for Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, in a statement.

He said, the "Republicans' radical anti-immigrant legislation is dead on arrival."

"Once again, House Republicans are crawling to the courts to relieve them of their responsibility to govern. Republicans should stop wasting millions of taxpayer dollars suing the President, and start showing some seriousness for the security of the American people," Hammill added.

He urged Republicans to join Democrats in funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Earlier this month, the House passed a bill to fund the D.H.S. but not the President's immigration programs.

The bill faces uncertainty in the Senate where Republicans need Democrats' support to pass it.