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WASHINGTON, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department on Monday filed a request to the Supreme Court for a review of its plan to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation.
The Department argued in its filing that the immigration case is so important that it hopes the Supreme Court will rehear the case when it has the full complement of nine justices.
"This filing is consistent with historical practice and reflects the need for prompt and definitive resolution of this important case," Justice Department spokeswoman Melanie Newman said in a statement.
On June 23, the Supreme Court, in a 4-4 split vote, left intact a lower court' ruling to block the implementation of the immigration plan, or Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents.
Under the plan unveiled in late 2014, about 4 million undocumented immigrants would be protected from deportation and issued work permits if they have lived in the U.S. since 2010 and have children who are either American citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Despite the Justice Department's filing, the case is not expected to be reviewed by the Supreme Court until after U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office early next year at end of his eight-year term.
Currently, the Republican-controlled Senate refuses to consider Obama's nomination of Washington D.C. appeals court's chief judge Merrick Garland to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who died in February.
