Posted on 08/18/2011 7:35:12 PM PDT by Libloather
Dems cheer Obama’s more lenient rules on illegal immigrants
By MIke Lillis - 08/18/11 05:30 PM ET
Democrats in both chambers are cheering Thursday after the Obama administration unveiled more lenient rules surrounding the deportation of illegal immigrants.
The changes — announced by the Department of Homeland Security — will allow many illegal immigrants to remain in the country and apply for work permits.
Under the new rules, DHS officials will perform a case-by-case reviews of those in line for deportation, weeding out violent criminals and other high priority cases while closing the books on those considered no threat.
The changes could be particularly beneficial to people who would be eligible for the DREAM Act, an immigration proposal pushed by Democrats that has yet to pass Congress.
The DREAM Act would offer a pathway to permanent residency — and eventually citizenship — for certain illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. The bill passed the House in December, but was killed by a GOP filibuster in the Senate.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) praised the DHS announcement, saying Obama "made the right decision in changing the way they handle deportations of DREAM Act students."
“These students are the future doctors, lawyers, teachers and, maybe, Senators, who will make America stronger," Durbin said in a statement.
To be eligible for the DREAM Act, a person would need to have been in the country for at least five years; earned a high school diploma, or its equivalent; and entered an institution of higher education or the military.
Supporters say the DREAM Act would empower motivated young people to contribute to the betterment of the entire country. Opponents argue the bill lends amnesty to people who broke the law the moment they crossed the border.
The DHS policy changes are sure to draw heavy fire from Republicans who will likely view them as a unilateral move by the administration to ignore Congress's wishes.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the change “will help prioritize our limited enforcement resources to focus on serious felons, gang members and individuals who are a national security threat rather than college students and veterans who have risked their lives for our country.”
“This common sense approach,” Reid added, “will address an untenable situation where the deportations of foreign drug traffickers and violent criminals face long delays because our immigration courts are overwhelmed by low-priority cases of individuals with no criminal records.”
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) sounded a similar note, hailing the move as “a victory not just for immigrants but for the American people as a whole.”
“Focusing scarce resources on deporting serious criminals, gang bangers, and drug dealers … is the right thing to do,” he said.
Since he took office, President Obama has been under fire from liberal Democrats and immigrant advocates for failing to back up campaign promises of enacting sweeping reform. Perhaps no one has been as critical as Gutierrez, who acknowledged a sudden change of heart Thursday.
“This is the Barack Obama I have been waiting for and that Latino and immigrant voters helped put in office to fight for sensible immigration policies,” he said in a statement.
Oh no, the dreaded TINOs (Taxpayers In Name Only)
Obama is competing with Rick Perry. Don’t wory it only hurts because it’s true.
This is a slap in the face of unemployed Americans.
I’d like to say we need a Republican candidate who speaks out against this kind of crap, but Rick Perry, I fear, would do exactly the same thing as Obama.
Dream Act is now the cool so is crony capitalism and muslim placating. As long as you have a big mouth and an R by your name.
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You need to cool your trolling.
If one has a "work permit" and is unable to find work, is that person then eligible for unemployment or other assistance?
Tell me what’s different betwen Rick Perry’s and Dream Act and Obama’s?
Really? Beacause Bush was open borders and he never did what Obama is proposing. All perpsective is lost during primary season.
No, this is a first only Barry would would do. Most politicians have a sense of self preservation but not Barack...oh no, he pushes through every barrier and assumes everything will work out for him. The Clinton’s had the sense to give up with Hillarycare. This one crams it though during the most questionable of legislative practices. This current business with amnesty by executive order is just a pattern for him.
“....but Rick Perry, I fear, would do exactly the same thing as Obama.”
IMHO..that’s the only reason the RinoCracy even sees Perry as a potentially “acceptable” candidate. Otherwise he’s as off base as Palin is to them...
He's scrambling to win them back. Expect more edicts like this.
Is it legal for him to pass such a change of this magnitude without going thru Congress?
Or is this another Libya moment?
Obama's bypassing Congress. There's been a pattern of that with Obama. First President in my lifetime to ignore the Constitution. This is a serious move by Obama!
NO!
U.S. Constitution (Presidential responsibilities)
Article 2 Section 3
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers;he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,
and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
I agree - I am waiting for a public announcement from Perry. He’s gonna have to come out one way or the other. He allows illegals to have in state tuition in Texas. Unless he changes this stance I think his opponents may filet him over it and his poll numbers will drop. Of course I don’t expect Romney to be any better on the issue.
I am waiting for a public announcement from all of the candidates and see where they stand on this Dream Act that Obama has shoved down our throats.
Dream Act or Scream Act. It doesn't matter. These elites ARE going to do whatever they want unless there is an all-out total revolution & that's just not going to happen. Americans are too lazy & have it too easy. When they wake up it will be too late.
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