For three and a half years, Hispanic activists have complained the Obama administration was all talk and no action when it came to satisfying their demands for more lenient immigration guidelines. But with the president’s re-election campaign looking increasingly shaky, the need to solidify the Democratic base has led to a not terribly surprising policy about face. The announcement today of an executive order that the United States will cease any efforts to deport young illegal immigrants is just another instance of how politics rules all in the Obama administration.
The change, which resembles to some extent the Dream Act that would have granted a path to citizenship for youngsters who came to the country illegally, will mean that up to 800,000 undocumented people will be able to get a two-year deferral on steps to make them leave the country and then allow them to apply for work permits. Though Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano claims the measure is not a form of amnesty and does not grant immunity, that is exactly what it is. While there is a strong argument to be made that such deportations are a waste of government resources and that the country will be better off if such persons have their status normalized, there is no question the motivation here is purely political. But whether the president’s fiat will help more with Hispanics than it hurts with the clear majority of Americans who take a dim view of policies that seek to legalize the presence of undocumented aliens is yet to be determined.
Even Mitt Romney, who swung hard to the right on immigration, has said he was willing to accept some form of the Dream Act, as long as it solely covered those illegals who were willing to serve in the armed services. But public resistance to what might otherwise be considered a humanitarian and prudent course of action has been considerable. Support for stringent enforcement of immigration laws has never waned principally because most Americans see the porous border as a sign the rule of law is breaking down. Amnesty provisions such as this executive order make sense in that deporting all 800,000 illegal youngsters is no more feasible than deporting all of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. But doing so effectively makes a mockery of the concept that laws on the books must be enforced.
However, the timing of the announcement at the start of a long general election campaign strips away any pretense that the decision has been dictated by anything but politics, especially because the president could have issued this executive order at any time in the last three years. As to the impact on the November election, it may help bring out the Hispanic vote for the president in some states, but it is also likely to create a backlash among the majority who believes illegal immigration is a serious problem. That makes it doubtful the move will have much effect on battleground states such as Arizona and New Mexico, where the large number of Hispanics who may be happy about the decision will be offset by other voters who see it as an example of how the administration has disregarded their concerns about the impact of illegal immigration on their communities.
Also, adding an extra 800k workers in this economy might not go over well with those looking for work.
Mr. Tobin, r nr nWhile I am least glad you have not resorted to the “irrational voter” bit about those of us not wanting to surrender on this issue and accept a fait accompli, your attitude still comes through.r nr nTherefore, please pick the law you think important to something. A law we all agreed should be a law through the systems we all agreed should be the system. When it is violated, if it is not something I woud get worked up about, see if I give a damn.
THis is such a good time to be giving illegal immigrants amnesty. I mean, very few Americans are out of work, our war veterans will find jobs, college tuitions are at an all-time low, no one is running for President, the US government has stopped spending, and we actually have a surplus, right?
The good news is this illegal, unconstitutional move will finish the political careers of 2 of both Obama and his little brother Marco Rubio. I take pleasure in this!
set aside the actuality of what this decision means. what should be most troubling to us is the ease with which Obama basically changed a law without having to get Congress involved. I mean–I thought that the president didn't have that much power! doesn't Congress make the laws? furthermore, during the Bush years, the idea that the president COULD have that much power was considered a bad thing. n nI guess all bets are off in the Age of Obama… n
No! All bets are not off. Has no one taught you what "Hung By The Tongue" means? Don't be giving things away. Don't be conceding things to thieves and cheats. nGo wash yer mouth out. Get some instruction. Stand Your Ground! Whatever It Takes. Hold that Line and take back Our Stuff from the Thieves!
Most Jews do not support amnesty according to every reliable poll I’ve seen. So I don’t get why the writers on here are so pro-amnesty as Mr. Tobin.
Real unemployment, when controlling for the millions upon millions who have totally dropped out of the labor force, is north of 10 %.
Last thing we need now is mass amnesty but this is the door that has been opened and that Mr. Tobin cheerfully fights for. I don’t see the reason. If you come here illegally, be prepared to face the law. Mexico has an unemployment of 4 % and isn’t exactly war-torn Angola. It’s actually a good place to be. They aren’t going to die on the street if they come home.
And this sentiment is shared not just by most Americans, Jews but also most commenters here. So why do the writers here, which have a conservative viewpoint otherwise, push a far-left policy position?
THIS IS AN AFFRONT TO THE HURTING AMERICAN WORKER. n nHOWEVER THE PARENTS CAN BE DEPORTED, AS THEY ARE STILL ILLEGAL. INTERESTING ENOUGH, THROUGH PROCESSING THE PARENTS OF THE STUDENTS WOULD BE REVEALED AND ICE CAN DETAIN AND DEPORT. NOT TO FORGET THAT THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN CHILDREN WILL SUFFER, AS THESE FOREIGN NATIONAL KIDS ARE ISSUED 800 THOUSANDS VISAS. n nEVERY PRO-SOVEREIGNTY AMERICAN WHO HAS NEVER CARED TO VOTE SHOULD JOIN THE TEA PARTY OR VOTE AGAINST THE OBAMA REGIME. WITH ORGANIZATIONS AS GEORGE SOROS, MOVE ON ORG AND PRO-ULTRA LEFT, ANTI AMERICAN GROUPS, THE COMMUNIST FOUNDED ACLU AND OTHER SPECIAL INTEREST OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION IS IN PERIL, GRAVE THREAT AS WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE? THANKING SOMEBODY AS REP. STEVE KING WHO HAS A SPINE TO SUE, INSTEAD OF THE ERIC HOLDER AND DEPT OF IN-JUSTICE SUING FINANCIALLY HURTING STATES AS ARIZONA ‘THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT’. MAY BE THE BACKDOOR AMNESTY ‘DREAM ACT’ WILL BE HELD-UP IN THE COURTS AND BLOCKED FOR THE TIME BEING. n nThe Obama administration is passing laws by decree now, without any oversight and not being addressed by the House of Representatives. I thought this type of enacting policies as this, was for the dictatorships of the world? This is AMNESTY by any other name and will generate a firestorm amongst Independents voters as me, explicitly the TEA PARTY? I guess the Obama government sees themselves above the “rule of Law.” Obviously this is a political push for the children of foreign nationals and certainly performed on behalf of the majority ethnic population? Is this another bloated fraud policy, as seen in the 1986 Immigration Control and Reform Act. n nWith the possibility of a work visa, they will be able to apply for taxpayer’s money for enrollment in colleges. THIS IS BILLIONS MORE DOLLARS TO THE STRAINED FINANCES FOR EDUCATION AND FURTHERANCE OF EVEN MORE PENDING MASSIVE CHAIN MIGRATION; AT LEAST THE PARENTS CAN BE DEPORTED FOR BREAKING IMMIGRATION LAWS? Democrats have always been generous with other people’s money, so it is very scary wondering what’s next in their agenda of their ‘Political Correctness’? Without any contradiction this is a means to gain millions of extra votes from persons already here, including non-citizens? This has clearly been shown by the Obama Dept of IN-Justice suing Florida, for ethically doing the correct thing of erasing non citizens from the election rolls. n nIf you want to read the truth about the lawlessness and carnage along the border, then bookmark the ‘AMERICAN PATROL’ website. Investigate other headlines today such as ‘Catch and release for low-priority illegal’s proposed — Border agency's secret draft policy includes 'prosecutorial discretion', Obama implements DREAM amnesty by executive fiat!, The Fast and Furious scandal , Reporter heckles Obama during speech declaring sell-out of U.S. workers, Obama regime to help illegal’s, LA Mayor Villaraigosa delighted over Obama's outrageous decree, Rep. Granger alarmed by Obama chicanery, Out-of-control Obama regime to bypass Congress on illegal’s today, Bombastic assemblyman wants to keep criminal illegal’s in the state, NYPD faces politicians, Muslim advocates seeking control of cops, Voters need to make their voices heard on illegal immigration, etc., AMERICAN PATROL is a current exposure site of the nationwide E-media and newspapers, blogs and commentary that the Liberal press prefers to keep from the public. Daily, the truth is revealed about illegal immigration and the corruption in Washington and state assemblies. This is intelligence not found in the press, which the parties keep suppressed. There is an eye opening video from TEA PARTY. ORG about the stunning claim that President Obama is ineligible for the position in the White House and every citizen should judge for their own peace of mind. n nThe Obama is stealing millions of American’s livelihood, by trying to close down the coal, gas and oil industry. We have more oil in regions of America, then any other place on this planet and would pay off the $16 Trillion dollars; we owe nations that don’t like us. The Canadian pipeline would lighten the load of all consumers gas needs, but Obama has prohibited it and may now be sold to our enemy China. Both parties are to blame for this immigration mess, we find our country hopelessly swamped under? We must alter our future before it’s too late and end this Presidents reign of Socialist philosophy, to give away our wealth to other nations, as ‘THE TREATY OF THE SEA’. Do you know about this issue? n
I have always supported granting citizenship to those completing 3 or more years of military service. Unfortunately, our military is being reduced and many illegal immigrants won't meet the current standard for military service. To grant someone citizenship just because they went to college is ridiculous. n nRegardless of what policy is established to take hold of the illegal immigration problem, Congress should eliminate the "anchor baby" interpretation of the constitution.
HAH! SINCE the Dream Act has failed a number of sashays through Congress, I am more than positive that there is no doubt at all, any more than that the sun will rise in the morning, that the American Citizens are NOT receiving this garbage, and won't take it. n nOdrama Queen's Harvest is moving beyond Light Speed towards him, now. And Seed in Kind ONLY! And no Hybrids. All Natural and full exponential multiplication. n nHow many will decide NOT to stand beside him at this point, we'll see if they have any recognition of the Mega Monster Tsunami rushing towards them. Numbers 16. Psalm 109.