House declares Obama’s immigration action ‘null and void’

WASHINGTON — House Republicans have passed a bill denouncing President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration and declaring them “null and void.”

The legislation, which passed 219-197, declares it would undo the measures Obama announced last month to extend work permits and relief from deportation to more than 4 million immigrants in this country illegally.

Yet all acknowledged the vote was mostly symbolic since the bill stands no chance in the Senate and faces a veto threat from Obama.

Republicans said the legislation was needed to rein in a lawless executive. Democrats decried it, saying it would break up families.

The bigger fight may lie ahead as immigration hardliners in Congress push to use must-pass spending bills to block Obama’s actions.

ERICA WERNER, Associated Press