U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a current member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined with 19 Senate colleagues in questioning the directive announced last week by President Obama to grant deferred action to illegal immigrants and asking for a full accounting from the President of his legal authority to issue such a directive, how the executive action will be implemented and administered, and the cost to taxpayers.

In a letter sent to the President this afternoon, the senators asked for written responses to a list of detailed questions and a briefing from the administration officials who will be responsible for the program. They described their concerns about President’s circumvention of Congress in issuing the directive and questioned the impact of allowing work authorizations for illegal immigrants at the same time young Americans face record-high unemployment rates.

In addition to Hatch, the letter was signed by Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Saxby Chambliss (R- Ga.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R- Miss.), David Vitter (R-La.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Click HERE for a signed copy of the letter.