Obama immigration plan blocked by Supreme Court tie vote

A tie vote by the US Supreme Court is blocking President Barack Obama's immigration plan that sought to shield millions living in the US illegally from deportation.

The justices' one-sentence opinion effectively kills the plan for the duration of Mr Obama's presidency.

A tie vote sets no national precedent but leaves in place the ruling by the lower court.

In this case, the federal appeals court in New Orleans said the Obama administration lacked the authority to shield up to four million immigrants from deportation and make them eligible for work permits without approval from Congress.

Texas led 26 Republican-dominated states in challenging the programme Mr Obama announced in November 2014.

Congressional Republicans also backed the states' lawsuit.