In court papers, Abbott argued Obama has a duty to "faithfully execute" the laws passed by Congress. He suggested the order, which allows some immigrants in the United States illegally but with relatives who are citizens or legal residents to remain temporarily and to work, will encourage an influx of new immigrants.

Abbott, who is currently the state's governor-elect, has filed 30 earlier lawsuits against Obama and his administration. The latest was filed in a federal court in Texas.

The plaintiffs are states with Republican administrations from Alabama and Georgia to Maine, Utah and Idaho. States like California, New Jersey, New York and Florida with large immigrant populations were not included.

Abbott described Texas, with its long border with Mexico, as the "epicenter" of illegal immigration. He cited Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, blaming it for the influx of children from Central America.

"Two things are clear: Our immigration system is broken and it must be fixed," Abbott said in his announcement, adding that "it must be fixed by Congress, not by executive fiat."