President Barack Obama reaffirmed on Thursday that he’ll use his executive authority to “get a smarter immigration system in place” while reform is stalled in Congress.
“It continues to be my belief that if I can’t see congressional action that I need to do, at least, what I can in order to make the system work better,” Obama told reporters during a news conference.
“Have no doubt. In the absence of congressional action I’m going to do what I can to make sure the system works better,” he said.
The president didn’t spill any details on what he’ll do in his hotly anticipated executive action, poised to be announced by the end of summer. According to reports, he’s considering a variety of options with regard to deportations for low-priority immigrants as well as changes to the legal immigration system.
He said Congress’s failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform or a border supplemental means he’ll have to redirect resources from within the system to address the recent influx of unaccompanied children at the southwest border.
“That means we’ve got to make some administrative choices and some executive choices about, for example, getting more immigration judges down there,” he said.
The Teabaggers won’t like that one bit! How DARE he actually try to govern!
After all, “the President is NEAR!” [NO, consarn-dadbladdit!]
The other day I was worrying that the president acting alone with EOs could hurt Dem candidates in red states. Some poster, who is clearly smarter than I’ll ever be, pointed out that it would give those red state Dems something on which to run against President Obama. The more I think about it the more I realize how true that is and how much of a boost that could be for someone like Grimes in KY or Nunn in GA.
Plus, executive action on immigration could also drive out the Latino vote. They, like black folks, are far more likely to stay home in midterms, but this is something that could boost enthusiasm and get them to go vote. I think the same will happen with black folks and anger over police brutality/murders.
We need asses in seats in the Senate and House. If candidates have to adopt some GOP rhetoric it’s perfectly fine by me. With apologies to Oleta Adams: I don’t care how you get there, just get there.
I fully, agree Plucky: an EO shows the President to be bold, forceful and willing to step forward to solve problems – alone, if need be.
I’m not going with the pants-wetters fearing a GOP backlash: they’re always ready to carp and pounce. We cannot be afraid of them, and many will credit Obama for trying to act during this stalemate.
Actually, I think Obama is boxing the Republicans in: bitch about unilateral action? What should he do since Congress refuses to act - especially since the GOP got almost everything they wanted in a Senate bill that passed with bipartisan support ONE WHOLE YEAR AGO.
Oh Plucky, I doubt anyone has much on you smart-wise. I read that conversation too and thought it was a really good perspective that I hadn’t thought of either.
This will be a disaster, and will lose the senate for the Dems. There are many Dems like me who do not support illegals and the amnesty for criminals. I will stay home.