The Obama administration asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, this Thursday to lift a temporary hold on the president’s executive actions on immigration. 

The administration made a similar request to a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, who blocked the president’s actions last month. However, the administration claims it can’t wait for the Texas judge to make a decision, which is expected March 19 at the earliest.

The president’s actions are intended to offer a relief to approximately 5 million undocumented immigrants. The first one would expand the deferred action program for undocumented youth (DACA) implemented in 2012 by allowing an additional number of "dreamers" to apply for a protection from deportation and a work permit. The second one, known as DAPA, would allow parents of American citizens or residents to apply for the same protections.