A request by a Justice Department to lift a temporary hold on President Barack Obama's executive action that sought to shield millions of immigrants from deportation was turned down by a federal judge on Tuesday.

US district judge Andrew Hanen said no to stay his February 16 decision that provided a preliminary injunction requested by 26 states. Hanen's latest ruling meant that the Obama administration is temporarily not allowed to implement the policies that would make it possible for five million people to illegally stay in the US.

The Justice Department had already moved to the 5th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to lift Hanen's injunction.

Hanen denied the government's request saying is has not provided a logical reason that why immediate implementation is required for this directive. The White House didn't comment on the ruling.

The lawsuit to repeal Obama's executive action was filed by the coalition of 26 states, led by Texas. They argued that the action was unconstitutional and would force them to invest more in law enforcement, health care and education.

Justice Department attorneys are certainly not happy with the temporary hold and said that it is not good for the interests of the public. The executive orders were announced by Obama in November. He said that Congress didn't take proper action, due to which, he was forced to make sweeping changes to immigration rules on his own.

"The parties' arguments should be decided on their relative merits according to the law, not clouded by outside allegations that may or may not bear on the ultimate issues in this lawsuit", said Hanen.