On Thursday night, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne issued a statement in response to President Barack Obama’s decision to move forward with executive action on immigration.

“Tonight, President Obama moved forward with executive action on immigration, the same type of action that he previously said would be ‘very difficult to defend legally’ and that ‘violated our laws,’” Byrne said. “Of course this action will be difficult to defend; it raises serious legal questions and flies in the face of how our Founding Fathers intended our government to operate.”

During his first month in office, Byrne declared that he was opposed “to any legislation that would grant amnesty to people who are here in violation of our laws.” Earlier this year, Byrne voted for legislation that would boost border security, expedite deportations, and prohibit the expansion of Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Last week, Byrne signed a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers seeking to “prohibit funding for the president’s reported intentions to create work permits and green cards for undocumented immigrants living in the United States.”

Byrne said Thursday that Obama’s action was against the will of the American people.

“We are a nation of laws, and there would never have been a right time for executive amnesty,” he said. “In the elections earlier this month, the American people indicated they want the president to work with Congress to advance solutions, not act unilaterally through executive action.

“This type of executive action is not the way our government is supposed to operate. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to push back against this action in a meaningful and constructive manner.

“We will not stand by idly and allow the president to continue to act against the intentions of the Constitution and the will of the American people.”