An Ilya vs. Ilya debate about immigration and United States v. Texas

On Thursday, April 21, I will be debating Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute on the constitutionality of President Obama's immigration order deferring deportation for some four million undocumented immigrants. This issue is, of course, the focus of United States v. Texas, the important case currently before the Supreme Court. The event is hosted by the Reason Foundation, in Washington, DC, and will run from 5:30 PM to about 7:15 or so (the actual debate begins at 6). The event is open to the public. RSVP information is available here. I look forward to meeting Volokh Conspiracy readers who make it to the debate!

Ilya Shapiro and I have similar views on many issues (as well as similar names and ethnic backgrounds), and are therefore often confused for each other. But we have widely divergent positions on this case. Shapiro believes that Obama has acted unconstitutionally, while I think he is well within the scope of his executive authority—particularly as usually understood by originalists.

I have previously outlined my views on the issues at stake in the case here and here, among other places. Ilya Shapiro has most fully outlined his position in this amicus brief that he coauthored with Josh Blackman.

UPDATE: For those who cannot attend in person, the Federalist Society is going to livestream the debate here.