Obama Pledges Immigration Executive Order By End Of Year

freshh. · 11-05-2014, 05:40 PM

Well, so much for him backing away from the EO, huh?

Predictions: Parents of USC children, Spouses of PR/USCs, Farmworkers with 10 years of continuous residency. Wild Card just to piss Republicans off: DACA parents.

Quote:

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama showed no signs of backing down from executive action on immigration reform on Wednesday, despite a Republican wave that ripped control of the U.S. Senate away from Democrats the night before.

"Before the end of the year, we're going to take whatever lawful actions that I can take," Obama told reporters at the White House, although he declined to offer specifics on what an executive order might look like.

The president said he plans to reach out to Republican leaders in both chambers to gauge their agenda, but added that he is done waiting for lawmakers on Capitol Hill to take action.

"I think it's fair to say that I've shown a lot of patience and tried to work on a bipartisan basis as much as possible and will keep doing so," Obama said. "I've consistently said that it is my profound preference and interest to see Congress act on a comprehensive immigration reform bill."

"What we can't do is just keep on waiting," he added. "There's a cost for waiting."

Obama recounted his conversations with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) last year, as a bipartisan group in the Senate worked to shepherd a comprehensive immigration bill through the upper chamber. When it became clear Boehner would not bring the Senate bill up for a vote, Obama said, he felt "obliged to do everything I can lawfully" to ensure the system doesn't get worse, with the expectation that Congress would replace his actions with a longer-term fix.

"You send me a bill that I can sign and those executive actions go away," he said.

After promising to take executive action on immigration by the end of the summer, Obama pushed back his plans until after the elections. Democrats, particularly senators from red states, had warned that any administrative moves could threaten their re-election. But in the end, most of those Democrats lost anyway, leaving advocates feeling like the delay was for nothing.

Some pundits speculated that the election results could make Obama back away from executive action, but he indicated Wednesday that he will not do so.

Republicans are almost certain to cry foul when Obama takes immigration action. A group of conservative Republican senators, including Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), sent a letter on Wednesday to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) threatening to use procedural means to block any executive action by the president.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who won re-election Tuesday and will likely be the next Senate majority leader, said during a press conference ahead of Obama's speech that Republicans could take up immigration reform, but the chances of that happening would be hurt if the president takes executive action.

"I think the president choosing to do a lot of things unilaterally on immigration would be a big mistake," McConnell said. "It's an issue that most of my members want to address legislatively and it's like waving a red flag in front of a bull to say, 'If you guys don't do what I want, I'm going to do it on my own.' ... I hope he won't do that because I do think it poisons the well for the opportunity to address a very important domestic issue."

Asked about McConnell's comments, Obama said his executive action would not prevent Republicans from passing legislation. In fact, he said, he hopes it would spur them to do so. Obama added that the biggest critics of executive action are people who wouldn't support reform anyway.

"I have no doubt that there will be some Republicans who are angered or frustrated by any executive action that I may take," he said. "Those are folks, I just have to say, who are also deeply opposed to immigration reform in any form and blocked the House from being able to pass a bipartisan bill."

Kari096 · 11-05-2014, 06:05 PM

I heard his comments and was relieved to hear him double down on doing something. I hope he helps spouses of USC and LPR and parents of USC children. I just have to say I can't stand how some liberal pundits who are ignorant of immigration policy and immigration as an issue entirely are visibly disappointed the president is going to plow forward with his promise to do something. I am of sincere opinion that had the president acted in August as promised Sen. Udall and Sen. Hagan would not have lost their seat. Immigration activist turned hard on Kay Hagan and rightfully so. She voted against the dream act in 2010 and recently voted with the republicans to bar the president from taking further executive action. Apparently while in the NC legislature she voted against allowing undocumented people from getting drivers license. In such a close race the latino community might have turned out for her had she encouraged the President to act before the elections.

2Face · 11-05-2014, 08:08 PM

FRESH you seriously think that there's that small of a chance of him including parents of DACA beneficiaries? I mean what if they've been here for over 10 years or so? This will be devastating if he does not extend it to parents of dreamers.

DACAuser · 11-05-2014, 08:16 PM

what are the chance of getting green card for dreamers?

moto · 11-05-2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Face

FRESH you seriously think that there's that small of a chance of him including parents of DACA beneficiaries? I mean what if they've been here for over 10 years or so? This will be devastating if he does not extend it to parents of dreamers.

Not just the parents of dreamers, it would suck if it doesn't include people who have been here for long time. Aged out dreamers really deserve this.

Smooth · 08:29 PM

Fuck you McConnell. Stop talking shit and get shit done pronto. Stop wasting valuable time. Nobody wants to see your wrinkled ass give speeches and give opinions. Shut up and act. Easy for your bitch ass to complain about and oppose EOs when you are not living in the shadows struggling to survive.

2Face · 11-05-2014, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

Fuck you McConnell. Stop talking shit and get shit done pronto. Stop wasting valuable time. Nobody wants to see your wrinkled ass give speeches and give opinions. Shut up and act. Easy for your bitch ass to complain about and oppose EOs when you are not living in the shadows struggling to survive.

Well my brah. McConnell is actually an okay guy. He is the type that would be willing to sit down and compromise. It's the likes of Cornyn, McCain, the blue dog dems that make my blood boil. McCain is a punk. He talks about how much he appreciates "immigrants" and ends up voting No on Dream Act in 2010. Notice I did not include Sessions in that list. I actually admire Sessions. He doesn't behave or act like he supports immigrants. He straight up tells us he hates us with a passion with his long speeches. The others are all liars. Hope Obama pulls a fast one on all of those old clowns.

DACAuser · 11-05-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

Fuck you McConnell. Stop talking shit and get shit done pronto. Stop wasting valuable time. Nobody wants to see your wrinkled ass give speeches and give opinions. Shut up and act. Easy for your bitch ass to complain about and oppose EOs when you are not living in the shadows struggling to survive.

we don't struggle, we have work permit

Pianoswithoutfaith · 11-05-2014, 09:58 PM

DAUser you were banned. Why are you back?

Smooth · 11-05-2014, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DACAuser

we don't struggle, we have work permit

Take that temporary permit away, and you are screwed,

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Obama Pledges Immigration Executive Order By End Of Year