Obama acts to halt deportations, politics ensues
By Franco Ordonez, McClatchy Newspapers -
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration announced plans Friday to prevent the deportations of hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children.
The policy change, embraced by Hispanics and blasted by the GOP, allows young illegal immigrants who were raised in the country to remain for two years under a deferred deportation.
(PHOTO: President Barack Obama responds after being interrupted while making remarks about the Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement about deportation of illegal immigrants in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., Friday, June 15, 2012.)
The decision came in the form of a directive by the Department of Homeland Security. It bypassed Congress, where legislation with a similar intent has been stalled for more than a decade. In reality, the action likely will last only as long as President Barack Obama remains president.
“These are young people who studied in our schools,” Obama said from the Rose Garden. “They play in our neighborhoods. They’re friends with our kids. They pledge allegiance to our flag. They’re Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way, but one: on paper.”
The announcement comes in an election year as the president and GOP nominee Mitt Romney maneuver for the hearts and minds of the nation’s nearly 20 million Latino voters.
Just a one month after he announced his support of gay marriage, Obama looks to be shoring up a liberal base that had become frustrated with his lack of progress on its causes.
As the president spoke, dozens of young people began gathering outside the White House. They carried signs that read: “Yes, we did it!” and “You got my vote now!!”
Within an hour of the announcement, a political group supporting Obama distributed statements by Romney opposing giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
Obama leads Romney 61 percent to 27 percent among Hispanics in a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, but Latino advocates say his administration has continued to deport record numbers of illegal immigrants, many of whom were arrested for minor offenses.
In the past two weeks, undocumented students have staged protests at Obama campaign offices in Charlotte, N.C., Denver and Oakland, Calif., urging the president to take executive action and spare young illegal immigrants from deportation.
One of Obama’s toughest critics on immigration, Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, called the announcement a “reason to celebrate.”
But others remained skeptical.
Undocumented student Viridiana Martinez forced her own arrest during two protests in Atlanta and Charlotte. The 25-year-old from Sanford, N.C., said she was encouraged that protesters’ voices were being heard, but she worried the directive would not be properly implemented.
“It proves the power that we have as undocumented youth,” she said. “I think that he’s feeling the pressure. But I’m way skeptical.”
Some 800,000 undocumented immigrants are expected to be affected. According to the Department of Homeland Security, eligible immigrants include those who are not over 30, were brought to the U.S. before age 16, have been in the country for at least five years, have no criminal record and are in school or have a high school diploma or equivalent, or have an honorable discharge from the military.
Obama called the policy a “temporary stopgap” that would give Congress time to pass the DREAM Act, a bill that would put many young illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship. The bill was introduced in 2001. Until now the White House had been reluctant to bypass Congress.
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida introduced a similar proposal this year. The potential vice presidential candidate cautiously criticized the president.
“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for many of these kids desperate for an answer, but it is a short-term answer to a long-term problem,” he said. “And by once again ignoring the Constitution and going around Congress, this short-term policy will make it harder to find a balanced and responsible long-term one.”
Others Republicans were more direct.
“Americans should be outraged that President Obama is planning to usurp the constitutional authority of the United States Congress and grant amnesty by edict to 1 million illegal aliens,” said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned the legality of the decision.
“President Obama’s attempt to go around Congress and the American people is at best unwise and possibly illegal,” Graham said via Twitter. “This type of policy proposal, regardless of motivation, will entice people to break our laws.”
Next week, Obama will address the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Florida. Romney is also scheduled to meet with the group next week.
———
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFERRED DEPORTATION:
—Are not above age 30
—Came to the United States under age 16
— esided in the United States for a least five years
—Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a GED, or honorably discharged veteran.
—Have no criminal record.
21 Responses to Obama acts to halt deportations, politics ensues
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sijr
June 19, 2012 at 6:31 pm
And when these picked on illegals come forward and “out” their parents, who are the only ones who can attest to their being illegal, they, in turn, will be “outing” their parents. This could be fun!!!
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I once bought into that “seal off the border” mentality, until I realized what homophobic, xenophobic, homogenized, racist isolative pricks most redneck Americans were behind the sentiment. Now I’m starting to realize that America could use an infusion of new blood into this country…boost up the competitiveness, and light fires under the buffet eating, beer swilling, lazy fat asses that are starting to comprise the totality of our demographic.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Well we sure don’t want a bunch of drugheads running around either Peter.
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Sorry to inform you Observer, but given all the alcohol served, medicine prescribed, marijuana smoked, and all the other myriad substances ingested, including caffeine, and high fructose corn syrup, not to mention the range of emotions like anger, jealousy, fear, resentment that circulate thru most people’s bloodstreams on a moment by moment basis…we already HAVE “druggers” as you put them, running around society.
very few people are truly balanced in this world.
Observer
June 17, 2012 at 10:35 am
No Peter, the exact term I used was drughead. It is a stereotype for a person who uses illegal drugs for recreation, who knowingly and flagrantly disregard the laws of our country, and who refuse to fulfill their obligations as a citizen.
Mitt Romney
June 17, 2012 at 5:52 am
How ironic is it that you Peter throw out insults that actually pertain to you. Lazy? You could be the poster child for that word. Let’s see, what year was it again that you held a steady job? That’s what I thought. Again, spaceships, free land, talking cars, pot, tailpipes, are your consumption. When I am President, I will make sure that men like you don’t get a free ride anymore. You pay zero in any sort of taxes, therefor you don’t have a say in anything. Next.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 7:09 pm
What a way to circumvent laws on the books. I am thinking our Legislative Branch can, and should revoke this, or it should be challenged in a court of law.
Our Founders did not create a system of governance that was meant to be decided by fiat, but within the bounds of the three branches.
This kind of action threatens our Constitution, and thereby, our way of life. Democrat or Republican, or Independent, it should deeply concern you at the very least.
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 7:12 pm
You know what else threatens our Constitution? Doing away with the hemp crop on which the document was purportedly written.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Peter, you are a minority, you are not going to get a law revoked that does not have the say of the majority. And the majority still does not want a bunch of drugheads running around.
Get over it.
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Your interpretation of liberty vs. mine. May the best one win.
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 7:25 pm
And let this go down in history for all to see: Observer upholds “majority rules” as his deference point for subjugation. So therefore in the days of Hitler, Observer would have been a card carrying member of the Nazi party, or Brown shirt S.A….any time in history where the majority overruled the minority…no matter what the issue…Observer would have worked tirelessly to keep that majority status in place.
You have established this much about yourself Observer. I know your position. It’s recorded in the annals of NIT.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 7:28 pm
It is also well known Peter, I do not live in a space alien ship, support drugheads, and want to give away something for nothing.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Peter, in saying that, you have no idea how our American way of life works. A majority elects representatives. A majority decides laws. A majority strikes down laws.
Hitler lived in Europe. I am a full American.
I can show you that ever decision of SCOTUS was decided by a majority. I can show you that every law passed was passed by a majority. Every Senator, Congressman, State Legislator, Alderman (except Chicago), Councilman, and Mayor was elected by………….a majority of votes.
You loose.
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Al Gore 51%: You lose. Federal Government vs. Wallace’s Alabama: You lose. Obama lifting the ban against gays in the military: You lose. The Declaration of Independence against the mighty British Empire: You lose.
Sorry Observer…you lose.
Observer
June 16, 2012 at 8:53 pm
So the President is elected by the majority of the popular vote? Is the electoral college banished?
‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ was military policy under Federal Law. Obama could not rescind it without an act of Congress. Congress passed it by a majority.
The Declaration was passed by an action of the majority of Continental Congress.
Where they heck you learn history Peter?
Peter L
June 16, 2012 at 9:22 pm
YOU like to make stuff up as you go along don’t you little guy?
bodacious
June 16, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Peter, FYI- Hitler’s Nazi party was comprised of about 12% of the German population. They didn’t operate by the majority rules, it was fear rules. And, yes, that is reminiscent of the Tea Party today.They dont particularly believe in majority rules either.
Observer
June 17, 2012 at 1:18 am
I don’t make things up Peter. That is basic stuff from civics and history class in both grade and High School.
Anonymous
June 16, 2012 at 6:41 pm
We need a Obama enema at election time.
Anonymous
June 16, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Reminds me of the good old days of jimmy carter, when he let castro send all then poor cubans here, and of course castro sent all them folks from his prisons along for free. Ahhhh to be a Democrat. Makes ya PROUD Don’t IT??????
Anonymous
June 16, 2012 at 11:56 am
This guy makes me sick. 4 years ago he didn’t want nothing to do with gays because it would have killed his chances as president. Being behind the gays is the in thing now so he is all for it. He now is not throwing people out of this country because it will kill his chances to be re-elected. He reminds of someone else I know that runs this city but that is a whole topic!!