Republicans in the House of Representatives helped pass legislation rejecting President Barack Obama's immigration executive actions.

The "Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act," authored by Rep. Ted Yoho, R- Fla., was created to "establish a rule of construction clarifying the limitations on executive authority" particularly on immigration relief.

According to the bill (H.R. 5759), the executive branch will not exempt or defer undocumented immigrants categorized in immigration laws, namely the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill would also reject the treatment of undocumented immigrants "as if they were lawfully present or had a lawful immigration status."

The bill does grant exemptions to recognizing undocumented immigrants following executive actions by the executive branch of government. The first exemption is if a request was filed by federal, state or local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of an undocumented immigrant awaiting trial -- either as a suspect or witness. The second exemption is if the undocumented immigration is at risk of serious bodily harm or death and therefore can stay in the U.S. for humanitarian purposes.

H.R. 5759 does note that if the bill passes, it should go in effect as if enacted on Nov. 20, the same day as Obama's immigration executive actions.

"I introduced this legislation to stop the president's executive amnesty," Yoho said in a statement. "I could not stand idly by as the president trampled our constitution, our laws, and our sovereignty. I am glad that 219 of my colleagues joined me."

While 219 representatives voted in favor of the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, 197 representatives opposed the bill.

"Congress has the constitutional powers to create and write laws. The President has a duty to faithfully execute those laws, not pick and choose parts he likes or doesn't like," Yoho said. "I'm pleased that this legislation passed the House of Representatives on a bi-partisan basis and ask that Senator Reid take this legislation up, or explain to the American people why he is allowing this president's unconstitutionality to continue."

According to Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, Obama has "thumbed his nose" on the American people with his immigration executive actions.

"For the outgoing Senate Democrat majority to do anything less would be an act of monumental arrogance," Boehner said, noting the U.S. Senate should pick up H.R. 5759 for a vote. "The American people elected us to heed their will and not bow to the whims of the White House that regards the legislative process established by the Constitution as little more than a nuisance."

"Immigration should be about people, not politics, and H.R. 5759 is a step in the wrong direction," National Immigration Forum Executive Director Ali Noorani said. "We are disappointed that the House has chosen to vote for a measure that further divides Congress instead of uniting both parties around the need for a new immigration process."

"There is no doubt our immigration system is broken, and the American people expect Congress to work together to replace it. The 114th Congress has an opportunity to do so," Noorani. "Republicans are in the driver's seat on immigration reform. They can get the credit for leading on their version of immigration reform, or they can get credit for obstruction. We hope they will seize this golden opportunity to lead."

The bill is not expected to pass in the Senate.

Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014:

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