Just a Thought: Former President’s
Immigration speech
By Steve Walker
November 29th in 2014 I wrote
about President Obama making good on his promise to issue an executive order on
immigration during a televised press conference from the White House.
Many on both sides of the issue are still
reacting to his words to this day in the Hispanic community that felt relief
while many others not so much. Dreamers were excited then but not now with the
current President continually waffling on the issue.
We are talking about 800 thousand
Dreamers in limbo. The statistics show that 95 percent of those Dreamers are
gainfully employed, own their own homes and vehicles, and pay taxes. Many are
nurses, doctors, teachers, members of the military and independent business
owners.
Some Americans believed President
Obama’s 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 is as
follows:
“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.”
He continued, “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 added, “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 were cut by more than half and the number of
unaccompanied children were lower than it’s been in the previous two
years. He emphasized the number of people trying to cross the border
illegally was at its lowest level since the 1970s. The current President takes
credit for the decrease of immigrants coming with threats to build a wall at
great expense to the taxpayer.
President Obama also in his speech addressed
his attempt to work with Congress to come to a common sense compromise. Obviously
to date that has not happened under this administration.
President Obama 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, which is born out in the numbers. Dreamers are making that a
reality of 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.” He
pointed out felons, not families, criminals, not children, gang
members, not a mother who’s working hard to provide for her kids is
responsible. “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."
Now in 2017 under new leadership we now
await the fate of the Dreamers who have contributed much to America.
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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