Just a
Thought: President’s Immigration speech
By Steve
Walker
This past week President
Obama made good on his promise to issue an executive order on immigration
during a televised press conference from the White House. Not all media outlets covered it due to various
reasons that only the major networks can truly explain. Many on both sides are still
reacting to his words--some are relieved in the Hispanic community such as
Dreamers while others not so much.
Some Americans believe his willingness
to “over step his authority” as President, violated his presidential oath to
uphold the tenets of the constitution. Others believe he was well within his
right to do so as previous Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Walker Bush.
Both Reagan and Bush issued executive orders limiting immigrant deportation as
well, setting the precedent.
He pointed out that he was
attempting to correct policies that he believed unjustly punished parents of
children who were born in this country, although the parents were not naturalized
citizens. The terms “illegal” or “undocumented” come to mind depending on each
individuals take on the subject.
An excerpt from his speech.
“My fellow Americans,
tonight, I’d like to talk with you about immigration.
“For more than 200 years, our
tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a
tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic,
and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with
limitless possibilities – people not trapped by our past, but able to remake
ourselves as we choose.
But today, our immigration
system is broken, and everybody knows it.”
He pointed out that some
play by the rules and others don’t. He talked about exploitation by some
businesses, and how many immigrants are forced to remain in the shadows at risk
of their families being torn apart.
He said, “It’s been this
way for decades. And for decades, we haven’t done much about it.”
He reminded the country in
his address that when he took office he was committed to fixing the problem. He
noted that America has more agents and technology deployed to secure the
southern border than at any time in our history.
He also pointed out that
during his term, illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half and the
number of unaccompanied children is now actually lower than it’s been in nearly
two years. He emphasized the number of people trying to cross the border
illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s.
He also addressed his
attempt to work with Congress to come to a common sense compromise.
He laid out his plan of
adding additional resources for law enforcement to stem the tide of illegal
crossings. He also explained his effort to make it easier and faster for
high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to
our economy, as so many business leaders have proposed.
Finally he offered steps to
deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live
in our country.
“Over the past six years, deportations
of criminals are up 80 percent. And that’s why we’re going to keep
focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons,
not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mother
who’s working hard to provide for her kids. We’ll prioritize, just like
law enforcement does every day,” he added.
He challenged the Congress
to do their job and pass an acceptable immigration bill in his parting words.
He also said, “Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we
know the heart of a stranger – we were strangers once, too.”
He closed by saying, Thank
you, God bless you, and God bless this country we love."
In the days the days to
come, La Prensa readers and all Americans will decide if the President did the
right thing or not. Only time will tell.
As Always,
I write just a thought.
Steve
Walker is a Viet Nam Veteran, former Journalist and Justice of the Peace.
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