Obama's Preemptive Choice On Immigration-So Be It!

fairimmigration.org

Republicans have slammed President Obama for his recent policy change regarding the deportation of young illegal immigrants.  Mitt Romney has made it clear that he believes the President’s move is for political purposes only.  So be it.  Immigration reform is long overdue and if it took the President to preemptively change policy usurping Congressional authority, so be it.  Romney and his Republican Party complain that the President’s timing is all about gaining the Latino vote come November.  Romney continues to put forth that the President has had over three years to deal with immigration reform and has chosen to make this policy shift prior to November’s election.

One gets Romney and the Republican Party being upset about the policy shift.  The Latino voting bloc across the nation is critical and carrying the Latino vote by a significant margin may be the difference come Election Day.  President Obama has made the Dream Act a priority from day one of his presidency.  He gave Congress over three years to deal with the legislation and they have failed to act and craft long-term immigration reform.  So he changed the Administration’s priority and made it clear that he will no longer deport young illegal immigrants.  Will it help his reelection?  You betcha. 



salon.com



The new policy states that people younger than 30 who came to the United States before the age of 16, pose no criminal or security threat to the United States, and were successful students or served in the military can get a two-year deferral  deportation.  This language is nearly identical to much of what is contained in the Dream Act.  It’s a good plan and deals with illegal immigrants in a fair and compassionate fashion while protecting the security interests of our nation.  The policy change also allows those meeting the requirements to apply for work permits.  Participants must be in the United States now and be able to prove that they have been living in the country continuously for at least five years. 

President Obama’s administration deported nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants during the calendar year of 2011.  This is a significantly higher number of deportations than we have seen in years. The policy change implemented by the President will affect nearly one million people.  The change will allow the Administration to change focus slightly to target resources at those illegals posing a greater threat such as criminals and those trying to enter the country now. 

Congress has refused to work with President Obama in nearly every fashion regarding the issues of our day.  Not all the blame falls on Congress but given the track record of legislative accomplishment, it is crystal clear that the President has been more willing to find compromise with the Republicans than they with him.  The attitude of wanting the President to fail has been the Republican mantra.  President Obama made it very clear over a year ago that he would do what he could independently of Congress should they fail to work with him through negotiation and compromise.  So be it. 

Two-thirds of the people in the nation support this policy change on immigration.  Romney has not said he will overturn this Executive Order should he win the Presidency.  He has long said that he would pretty much overturn everything that President Obama has put in place.  Romney knows that the policy is a good short-term fix and is just disappointed that the President put in place prior to the election shoring up his support within the Latino community.