President Obama has faced an array of legal challenges from the Republican Party this year, especially on his delayed release of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare. Their reasoning was that the President released this act without the further provisions of Congress, which the Republican party felt was against the citizens rights held in the Constitution. However, the latest allegations call for a lawsuit to be placed on the President because of his intentions to protect 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation. "The president's plan will allow undocumented immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, also known as green card holder,s to register with the federal government and , if approved, receive a three-year protection from any deportation" (Jackson).
On one hand, the immigrants are ecstatic about this announcement because they would finally be able to become citizens of the United States which they have worked so long and so hard to become. But on the other hand, Republicans and other citizens are infuriated that the President will allow illegal immigrants to just have the ability to basically just become legal American citizens.
The Republican Party is so enraged that a multitude of governors, and potential 2016 presidential candidates, are planning on filing a lawsuit against the President. The North Carolina Governor Pat McCoy stated that he was open to suing the President for the action he will release on Thursday because the President does not have the ability to just make a new law and enforce it without consultation from the other branches of the government as well as the states. McCoy said that the President needs to recognize that he needs to confront the state's about this issue before releasing his statement due to how affected all states will be by this incredible influx of human beings. Three other governors agree with McCoy on this topic: Texas Governor Rick Perry, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. These three other men feel the same about the President's announcement this Thursday, and how the President is working only unilaterally on this issue. Walker stated, "I think the Republicans in Washington need to take the president to court. They need to force this issue. I think it's bigger than the subject matter of immigration" (Levine).
In my opinion, I believe that the President is completely out of line on this subject. I do believe that immigrants should be allowed into the country, but only if they have waited the specified amount of time and acquired the certain resources they needed. Allowing about 5 million immigrants to just be allowed into the country is unnecessary. Also, if the President has not consulted any other sources about his decision, I believe that he is only working by himself and what he thinks is right. When in all actuality it is the President's job to do what is best for the people, and what is best for the safety. I believe that the President should take this issue up with Congress and come to a conclusion of what the best alternative is, because allowing 5 million people to just become citizens is not acceptable in any manner. Do you believe the President is acting with all of the citizens best interest in mind? Should 5 million undocumented immigrants be allowed to become legal? Is what the President doing unconstitutional?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/19/immigration-executive-action_n_6189026.html
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/20/politics/mcrory-considers-immigration-lawsuit/index.html?hpt=po_c2
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/rick-perry-says-texas-may-sue-obama-over-immigration-action-n252046
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/07/30/3465876/gop-lawsuit-obamacare/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/20/obama-immigration-josh-earnest/19316835/
http://www.newsweek.com/republicans-obama-lawsuit-democrats-john-boehner-obama-impeachment-obamacare-262246
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/19/immigration-executive-action_n_6189026.html
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/20/politics/mcrory-considers-immigration-lawsuit/index.html?hpt=po_c2
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/rick-perry-says-texas-may-sue-obama-over-immigration-action-n252046
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/07/30/3465876/gop-lawsuit-obamacare/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/20/obama-immigration-josh-earnest/19316835/
http://www.newsweek.com/republicans-obama-lawsuit-democrats-john-boehner-obama-impeachment-obamacare-262246
6 comments:
Personally I do not agree with this stance on the issue. To clarify, Obama has not approved a plan to grant citizenship to 5 million illegal immigrants. This claim is not only wrong, but it is improperly phrased. Obama explicitly states in his press release that his upcoming plan will not provide immigrants with citizenship, but rather impunity from deportation for a longer period of time. This is not a form of citizenship, which Obama openly acknowledges is a power for congress. In addition, the president lays out a specific set of stipulations for the immigrants who wish to again this temporary right, including having been in America for five or more year, having children born in America, and being willing and able to pay taxes. This action by the president is not an abuse of power, but rather an outreach of support to immigrants who have received no policy help from congress. This action, though a highly contested one, is in fact a very moderate stance on the immigration policy. No extreme policy reforms were put in place that favors either Republicans or Democrats. This being said, I believe in setting up this legislature, Obama is attempting to open the door to compromise with the now Republican Congress. In an attempt to escape the lame-duck motif, Obama is making steps to try and enforce actual change in immigration policy. Rather than fight this legislature, I believe Republicans and others who are against it should try to compromise with the president, because ultimately, any policy is better than a gridlock, which is all we have seen in American government for months.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/obama-immigration-action-113072.html
I also do not really agree with you Rachel. I do believe that Obama is acting with all of the citizens' best interests in mind when he made this decision. As the comment above clarifies, Obama is looking to extend certain rights and protections for illegal aliens so they have time to get all their proper paperwork in order without fear of being deported. This courtesy will be extended to those that have been in America for a long period of time (greater than 5 years), are willing to pay taxes, and have children born in the United States. So, technically, he is not simply proposing we let all illegal immigrants become legal with the snap of his finger. Obviously, this plan would benefit immigrants greatly, as it would allow them precious time to undergo the process of becoming a United States citizen. Oftentimes, when people come to this country, they cannot spare the effort to work on becoming legal, as they have to find work and shelter immediately. If Obama's legislation becomes enacted, it might lessen all of the tension around the immigration process and decrease the animosity felt between American citizens and illegal aliens. This cannot, in circumstances, be construed as negative.
I also think it is impressive that Obama is working on immigration legislation, and working to create some new policy during the home stretch of his presidency. However, if he attempts to force it through the system without consulting other sources, and ignoring Congress like many believed he did with the implementation of Obamacare, there could be serious consequences. As of now, I do not think that what he is doing is unconstitutional, even though the Republicans are constantly digging for ways to prove that he is. I also find it unlikely that various politicians and government officials will file a lawsuit about this issue. I remember reading over the summer the same threats when it came to the Affordable Care Act. In reality, suing the president is not very practical, and hopefully that will not actually happen.
I agree with Kevin, the focus of the event is not Obama granting citizenship to all immigrants, rather he's giving immigrants a longer period of time before they are deported. Obama is acting fully within his bounds as President, this is NOT an abuse of power. The Republican party is taking Obama's order and blowing it way out of proportion. Kevin is right, this action is a moderate stance on immigration compared to the policies of other countries. Obama knows the Republicans will create as much gridlock as they can to make him FAIL and give the Democrats a bad name. Obama is simply taking matters into his own hands, as historically during his time in office, the Republicans have been recalcitrant to his every suggestion. Republicans need to compromise.
Unlike the others who have commented, I agree with Rachel. Obama was completely out of line on the decision of this issue. He can not simply make a decision as huge as making 5 million illegal immigrants, legal citizens. He must consult another branch of government before making such a pivotal decision for out country. Also, I believe this decision was not the best one for out country which leads me to be frustrated about how he didn't consult any other branches. Clearly, with the amount of criticism he has already been under, many people agree with his decision. Allowing 5 million illegal immigrants to become citizens simply because their child is a US citizen creates inflicts huge issues. This will allow these people to take jobs from Americans who obtained their status without breaking the law. It is not fair to reward those who have broken the law in the first place by illegally entering the country. How does this make the US look to other countries? Weak. It plants the idea that immigrants can come here illegally and eventually just be handed citizenship "just because they're here." Anyone from another country is welcome to become a citizen and live in the US as long as they follow the correct and legal procedures. This ensures all fairness in the system. Overall, Obama should have considered the outcomes of his ruling before enacting it and he definitely should have consulted a separate branch of government besides the Executive.
Sources: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/21/with-obama-order-what-happens-now-for-immigrants.html
In light of the clarity given by Owen, Kristin, and Kevin I am more inclined to support this Executive Order. However I have concerns about the president's use of power, while he is within rights to use it in this way it is still concerning. I do believe that this is a decent policy because it only allows established immigrants to be immune from deportation. These immigrants will pay taxes and contribute to society positively. The citizenship tests in this country are incredibly hard and I don't think that many of the people opposed to this order could pass it. U.S presidents are granted the right to executive orders and Obama is simply doing something smart. His goal i the long run is to give these immigrants who have no citizenship a form of protection against the overzealous nativism that will come due to the Republican majority in Congress. He wants to make sure that people who are contributing to society are safeguarded from nativists and conservatives who wish to go on a witch hunt for "illegal aliens". I am more concerned about the president's use of the executive order to accomplish something which many American's do not support. In the end, I think it is for the best but I hope that this does not pave the way for an actual abuse of authority.
Rachel, I fully agree with you. The United States has long upheld a strong immigration process and President Obama is disregarding it and changing it to how he wants it to be. No matter what ties these people have to citizens of the United States, they are still here illegally. Many citizens, have followed the legal immigration process. For example, I have a friend who recently became a legal immigrant from Peru. He waited 4 years in order to become a legal citizen. Why can't these men and women who are here illegally be patient and follow the correct legal process?
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