Yesterday, a/k/a Thursday:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency charged with guarding the U.S. borders, has written a secret draft policy that would let its agents catch and release low-priority illegal immigrants rather than bring them in for processing and prosecution.
The policy, which has not been signed off on, would be the latest move by the Obama administration to set new priorities for the nation’s immigration services, and would bring CBP in line with other Homeland Security Department agencies that already use such “prosecutorial discretion.”
via Washington Times.
Today, a/k/a Friday:
For years the administration had said it didn’t have the authority to make such a move, saying it couldn’t decide to stop deporting wide categories of people on its own without approval from Congress.
But on Friday President Obama says administration now interprets the law to give it the discretion.
“Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people,” Mr. Obama said in an appearance in the White House Rose Garden. “Over the next few months, eligible individuals who do not present a risk to national security or public safety will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings and apply for work authorization.”
via Washington Times.
Looks to me like the Washington Times was doing some journalism — printing something that someone did not want printed — and may have forced the issue. Obama may have wanted to hold this under his hat for a few more days, weeks, or months. Although slipping in the polls (and needed the Latino vote) a Friday afternoon may not be the best time to announce this program. He’s going to get torn apart on the Sunday morning shows.
How do we know this is going to backfire? Because even the MSM can’t help but call it what it is; from the AP:
The Obama administration will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to younger illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives. The election-year initiative addresses a top priority of an influential Latino electorate that has been vocal in its opposition to administration deportation policies.
via Deseret News.
It’s simple pandering. Obama will let your families stay in the country as long as you get him reelected.
The biggest losers here are of course those who are those who happen to be poor, uneducated. It’s not a stretch to say that most Latino illegal immigrants are not college educated; but they are willing to work. The jobs they take come directly at the expense of American citizens who should get priority over someone who’s not even supposed to be here.
Further, the financial impact of hiring Latinos — who send massive amounts of money home — instead of American citizens — who would spend nearly all the money here in the U.S. — is staggering.
Lastly, we live in a country with three branches of government. One cannot overstep the other. This action today is most likely illegal and will end up being settled by the courts well after the election. Obama, a former constitutional law professor, knows this. But he doesn’t care.
This is all about his winning in November.