Obama Administration Considers Bypassing Congress on Immigration Reform

Saweeeeeet!!!!  Bring on the documentos, baby!

If Obama could just bypass Congress on Immigration Reform, you would think he would plucky enough to bypass the Generals and just repeal DADT.

Well, I believe Mr. President is trying to do something. Unless we still want to be in this situation, something has to be done and I agree that a immigration reform will bring back our country to be respect and the big country in this planet.

Finally the President will show them he has cojones !!!

It is a real gamble, and one which should be considered with great care.  The question is whether, as a result of granting such amnesty, there are enough pleased illegals and their supporters to re-elect Obama, or would such action doom his second term.

I think President Obama should not think about reelection but doing what is right for the people in this Country.
For the youth that are here since babies and now going to College or graduating from College, The legal immigrants ( Waiting for a visa number to travel ) and the illegal immigrants that need to get their lives going again and want to pay taxes.
Let’s do it NOW.

The changes mentioned in the article are regulatory changes that are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch to amend or change.  The Bush Administration used their authority in regulatory matters to oppose immigration at every turn they could - and thereby created unnecessary hardships to U.S. citizen babies, toddlers, teenagers, mothers, fathers, parents, and the list goes on.  Softening of the Executive Branch’s draconian powers in this matter is at the Obama Administration’s discretion.  I applaud them for exercising that authority responsibly - with an eye towards the good of the American people affected by removals and the foreign individual’s whose countries have been destroyed.

dear . mr obama you are going to good direction . if congres not understand the problem and Gop doing the politcks on immigration issue and not looks series solve the problem

Obama takes a certain action.
Republicans strongly object.
Democrats say, “Well, Bush did it”.

Inference; when Bush did it it was wrong.

So, when Obama does it, it is right?

Any such claim is a totally ineffective response to any objection to an Obama action.

It is rarely the act of exercising power that is the problem, Mr. Fortier.  It’s the way in which the power is exercised.

Both used regulatory powers to gain their goals.

Assume that such use is legal and proper, since Obama’s use of those powers is approved by his liberal base.

Therefore, it is not the way in which those powers were used.  Rather, it is the targets and the effects upon those targets, which are the grounds for disagreement.

Bush used them to further conservative goals (mostly).
Obama is using them to acomplish liberal goals, which because of their socialist trend, are objectionable to conservatives.

Back to the point;  It is illogical to be critical of Bush for specific actions, and then approve Obama for using the same procedures.

We’re debating the specific actions taken by the President using his regulatory power, not the use of the power itself.  How is it “illogical” to agree with one set of decisions, because you agree with them, and not another set of decsions, because you don’t?

Regulatory power is good. It clarrifies Congressional action and codifies it to work within the existing laws of our federal governemnt , I just don’t agree with the way the Bush Administration used it with immigration.  This isn’t “illogical,” it’s an opinion.

I assumed you were objecting to the use of regulatory powers to accomplish a goal not obtainable through congressional channels. 

Your objections to such use on immigration matters seems to be based on humanitarian grounds.  If immigration rule had been followed in the first place, and the immigration process had been followed as provided by law, making provisions for effective assimilation, the problem would not even exist, today.

The liberals appear to want an immigration program similar to that which Reagan gave us.  Retrospect shows that it merely opened the door to further disregard of the laws, and it should be obvious that repeating the process would not give different results.

The problem can be solved if political considerations are not part of the mix.  It is a problem that everyone wants to solve.  The conservative offer is, first control the borders (how can anyone object to that?), second, establish an immigration rate which will allow for effective assimilation, and third, sit back and enjoy the beneficial effects that such a program would have on all parties exept those who disregard the law for their own gain.

Wow what a brain, give all these people amnesty, that have already proved they can’t obey laws by being here illegally. then just slap the face all the other people who went through the time and expense to do it right, hell just stay here illegal long enough and it will be free. and now all these illegals get benifits free without having ever paid for them via taxes.

When take the humanity out of the problems of immigration, it seems so simple! ...only you can’t take it out, you can only ignore it.

There are never ONLY two sides to an issue.  Lumping everyone together in two camps, liberal and conservative, is naive. 

Have you ever worked with a family whose only wish is for the husband or the wife or the child to get a drivers license, for the alien to contribute to their family’s well being, and the only thing standing in their way is the federal government.  To see an American family ripped apart at its seams because of a strict federal regulation.  It’s heartbreaking and it is, my friend, is illogical.

The border is secure - a secure as a border can be without placing a standing army on it.  CBP apprehensions are down and the U.S. Immigration Court system is backlogged with people who have been caught and are awaiting removal.  It’s time to let those who are living underground, outside or peripheral to society, and with very real connections to this country to live and work and contribute to our nation.

The borders must be secured, whatever it takes, for national security reasons, alone.  If it takes a standing army, so be it.  To suggest that it is secure enough at present ignores the uncontrolled trafic in drugs, gangs and human beings, who are reduced to slaves, in the smuggling process.

Even humanitarian concerns must be subject to classification, with first priority going to legitimate Americans.  This should not be a matter of presidential discretion, it is his sworn duty.
No member of the Congress, nor the President is authorized, by any provision of the Constitution, to allow our childrens’ heritage to be threatened.

.............I have a feeling that obama will eventually end bypassing congress and the senate for everything…my prediction america will not hold another presedential race….well see

So the President looks to by pass the congress and the voice of the people. Hail to da chief.. in 2012 your history

Yay to Nathan Warecki’s comment!

The fact remains we need to learn from history and not repeat it.  The public does not know all of the facts.  If one were to look at the immigration rate over the 20 years or so they would find number of things. First the majority of immigrants are here as a result of some illegal act. You are probably saying how can that be if we still have legal immigration. Easy all of those who were here for the last amnesty were able to apply for their spouses, children and parents thru the “Family Unity Act” and then their spouses for their parents.  So everybody after the original is also a beneficiary of that same illegal act, the entry, which probably adds up to an additional 3 to 6 per individual so that 12 million could become 40, 60 or more.  Then you fold in fake marriages, and false asylum claims and the numbers at staggering.  Now lets look at the reason. The arguement is that they are coming here to make a better life, maybe but, not a better life here.  My parents were immigrants, they came here the legal way, they came here, lived here, worked here, died here and are buried here.  The modern immigrant is here to cash in on the “Golden Egg” (at some else’s expense) and leave.  That why “asylees” once granted apply for permission to travel….where to? The country they supposedly are seeking ayslum from.  The Former President of Mexico Vincente Fox, while in the US stumping for US immigration reform said that there families in Mexico who depended on the money sent back from the US.  (While you are checking that I suggest you look into Mexico Immigration Laws, reports have it they are very enlightening).  One last thing people argue that these people are taking jobs that that no one wants.  I am not sure that is correct, when I was in High School I used to cut grass in the summer, my brother flipped burgers during his break.  You may not see that near urban areas any more (in part due to the crime rate such as gangs MS-13[here primarily from El Salvador and Mexico] but in suburban America schools kids are still looking for jobs, jobs that were here 20 years ago.  Taking it further I have friends in construction who can not find a job due to all of the day laborers taking jobs for less. Even CNN reported just last night that 17% of construction workers are illegal and some 40% of masonary wokers and that is not because of a shortage of legal construction workers.  In all, this is just the tip of the ice berg, the strain goes even deeper with medical costs, education costs (at all levels), and on and on.  The fact is they are breaking the law.  Some argue that it was adminstrative and non violent but so was Martha Stewart’s and Leon Hemsley’s but they did the crime the paid the time.  So the government keeps families apart all the time because one member is in jail.  Lindsey Lohan most recently.  The US really really needs to wake up.

So the President looks to by pass the congress and the voice of the people. Hail to da chief.. in 2012 your history. Only in America can a convict have a greater say than a LEGAL US CITIZEN

Anything to get around the party of “no”.  We need to show that some of the issues being raised by the Obama administration will work and this might be the tool to do so.

I have not seen it definitively concluded that Obama has the authority to make such a sweeping executive decision when, just a few days ago, a federal judge issued a ruling stating that immigration policy is governed by acts of congress.  If we have one person making laws and enforcing those laws, what would their title be?  If Obama takes such an action, it is pretty much a guarantee it will be challenged under Constitutional grounds.

The law is still the law, Mr. Youngston.  But that doesn’t mean the law can’t change or be enforced in a different way.  Many, many, many people support changing the way we deal with immigration.  Clearly you do not.  I suppose you think you’re opinion has more weight than those of other Americans.  Get off your high horse and stop drinking the Palin, Beck, O’Reilly koolaid.

Since the teabagging/gop are the party of no, and will go to all lengths to stop anything from getting done, I can’t blame the president.

However what I would like to see would be tougher laws against the businesses that HIRE illegal aliens, and make sure those businesses are punished but high fines and sending the people who are hiring into jail for a few months as well as fined themselves.

Good God, what don’t you understand about ILLEGAL.  Illegals of all stripes,  go home. 
We don’t want you here.

Nathan, have you looked at the polls on Americans opinions about immigration?  Clearly you are giving way too much credit to a few commentators preaching their conservative religion (when there is the rival liberal religion wanting face time as well!).  Has it occurred to you that most Americans feel that our Justice Department is acting unjustly by selectively enforcing the law as it pleases them?  That the arguments held up of the few exceptions of earthquake refugees and political persecution are so rare compared with the overall problem?  There is already a mechanism in place for foreign workers to come and work in the US for up to three years.  It does those people who enter the US legally a severe injustice to have ONE MAN grant amnesty to 20 million who have entered the country illegally.

Driving above the speed limit is illegal too, k baker.  I suppose we should take your license away for ten years each time you speed?  That’s the equivalent.

What are you talking about Victor?  This is an article about changing some intreptations of the law as it exists, not complete anmesty or any other change of the LAW. 

And the H-1B program you reference is a limited program and has its own problems.

One of the many things this country stands for is freedom and opportunity. All illegals now in the country should be able to become citizens; the first requirement , pay all back taxes for wages received, pay back the cost of any free health care received [ that the taxpayers paid for them] and learn the english language. Welcome to America brother—God Bless You.—

The laws are already on the books, all of them, sanctions against employers, laws against illegal entry, heck even the part the courts are trying to block in Arizona (carrying ID) is already there (8 U.S.C. 1304 Subsections D & E)  The problem is nobody wants to be the bad guy and enforce any of them and then they take it one step further by saying no we don’t want you to enforce it either.  How stretched would the Federal Government be if all states refused to assist in enforcing any federal laws, like an all or nothing attitude.

Yu shood all go back acros the oshain to the country of yor fathers.  Just cuz we Mexicans didnt kill the Indians first dusnt mean we cant live here two!

Maria you may have a point, but if my education serves me correctly didn’t the Spaniards come to South and Central America and wipe out the Incas and Myans in the 1500’s. (200+ years before the Indian wars). Some how I don’t think spanish was the native language back then.  And there now seems to be evidence that Asians crossed the Bering bridge connecting Alaska to Asia around 18,000 B.C.  So how far would you like to go back?

“This is an article about changing some intreptations of the law as it exists, not complete anmesty or any other change of the LAW.”

huh?  Are you reading the same article as everyone else?  My “interpretation” of the speed limit laws is that it is just a suggestion and that I can actually drive however fast I please, or, if I find it convenient, to strictly obey the suggested speed limit.

No, that won’t be received too well by law enforcement would it?

Now let us say I am the Police Chief in town and chose to drive my personal car as fast as I want.  Hey, I made the law, I enforce that law on everyone else, I don’t have to answer to anyone else. 

Now, a Federal judge, appointed by then President Clinton, said CONGRESS enacts laws that very specifically states authority, but the President wants to apply his own “interpretation” to those laws to give himself the sole power to grant amnesty to millions of illegal non-citizens (or not, as he so chooses).

You completely miss the point of this story if you fail to recognize this is a serious breech of authority to usurp the US Congress for enacting immigration policy.

Lez all go back and find out that we are all just the same.  We are all human and we all have history.  We have all make misstaks.  My father is deported cuz he stole a toothbrush and got shoplifting.  He had a green card.  You shoplift and you get a fine.  Is this fair?  Americans act like they own this land, but you stole, we stole, everybody stole.  Now the earth belongs to all of us and why can’t we all be kind and human and share?

what a slap in the face to all the people who came here legally and those who are still waiting for a chance to obtain a visa. illegal is illegal. if we disregard this fact what’s next. i’m tired of hearing “they’re doing the jobs nobody else wanted” i put 2 kids thru college and they, like i’m sure yours - had those jobs “that nobody else wanted” they waitressed, pumped gas and did all those charactor building and pocket money type jobs. as a single mom that helped.. a lot.  now try to find an American kid working anywhere..they aren’t, there no work. and with the unemployment rate rising i’m sure many a mon would sell donuts if you could find a shoppe that hired Americans. it’s a sad state of affairs when Americans come in second place in America.

Mr. Victor.  I was using the speeding alegory to state that the punishment does not fit the crime. Only in this case, being “illegal” isn’t a crime at all, but a civil infraction. 

“You completely miss the point of this story if you fail to recognize this is a serious breech of authority to usurp the US Congress for enacting immigration policy.”  Issuing regulations to interpret the meaning of Congressional action IS the authority of the President.  As is the Judiciary’s power to review the Executive Branch’s interpretations.  Checks and balanaces my friend.  If the people (the plurality of people) really think that rounding up all the immigrants, tossing them into detention centers, breaking apart families, throwing out children, and sentencing people with a fear of persecution to death then the Congress will pass a law to that effect.  That’s not the law as it is.  This article doesn’t propose that the President is attempting to change the law, only his administration’s interpretation.

And Ms. Maria, go back to Mexico.

Bypassing Congress to offer amnesty at this point would assure a devastating loss for the Democrats in the November elections. Immigration reform advocates should consider the implications of that scenario and its resulting Congressional stalemate. Immigration reform is being used as political bait to divert the country’s attention from the Administration’s successes with its intelligent response to the Wall Street meltdown, its support of the auto industry, stimulus money to save jobs, financial industry reform, and most importantly, historic healthcare reform. Because of slowing 2nd quarter growth, the administration’s aggressive reponse to the recession will be tough to sell to voters. They don’t need an added reason to vote against the party of an president who unilaterally makes unpopular policies the law of the land.

You’re surprised? Compared with this administration, Boss Tweed and Tamany Hall were pikers. Our country today, the Obama is his being run by a gang of thugs.

THESE ARE THE FACTS!

http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/economic-and-political-power-immigrants-latinos-and-asians-all-50-states

Some Facts to add to the anticdotes.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/27/rel10f1a.pdf

Laurie, yu sound sad.  Do yu no how to come to United States legallly?  If yu are a hard worker mom like you, there is no way.  Yu are stuck in Mexico forever with no job, no money, and yor kids are sick and dying.  So yu risk yor life. Yu come somewhere that maybe yu can find work and work hard and send yor kids to college.  I am happy for yu cuz yu were born American.  I risk evrything so my kids can also be American.  Yu ask peple in Mexico to stay their forever with no hope for better life? No hope for escape from drugs and gangs? It seems easy when yu have evrything to tell others they cant have it two.  May be some Mexicans break the LAW to get here and that is too bad, but there is no LAW that can get them here legal.  Some die in the desert.  They risk their lives and die of thirst cuz it is better than living in death and fear in Mexico.  Sorry you think we deserve to die.  I am sad for you for that.  I no want to hurt America.  I love America.  I just dont want my babies to grow up with drugs and death. Do you? What I do? I have no skill. I have no American husband to get me visa.  What do I do to get here? There is no answer, so dont try.

Some Facts to add to the anticdotes.

From 07/27/2010 CNN poll, page 5

Creating a program that would allow illegal immigrants already living in the United States for a number of years to stay here and apply to legally remain in this country permanently if they had a job and paid back taxes
July 16-21, 2010 FAVOR 81% OPPOSE 19%
Blacks FAVOR 82% OPPOSE 18%
Hispanics FAVOR 94% OPPOSE 6%
Whites FAVOR 78% OPPOSE 22% *

Mr. Warecki, I think yu joke because you seem on my side.  I hope yu joke!

Maria:  I understand your frustration with your own country, but the Mexican people have to rise up and INSIST on their own government giving them the living they get here.  What’s happening here, and what people are upset about, is that all the gangs and drugs are leaving Mexico and coming here…pretty soon, we’ll have the same problems you encountered in your own country.  I don’t believe that anyone coming across the border should be susceptible to death in the desert, but they need to come here legally.  My husband’s aunts in the Philappines have been trying for over 10 years to get visas to come here…they’re still waiting and one of them has passed away while waiting.  But, they prefer to come over legally rather than have the fear of being deported.  It seems to me that the stress of possibly being deported and the possibility of dying in the desert, would make it more reasonable for any person in Mexico to want to come here legally.

Totalitarian countries of the world are guaranteed a populace to abuse because those poor folks can’t go anywhere else. I say we open our borders (slowly of course) with lot’s of planning. Many will come, some will stay and some will return to their homeland. How can you not share a good thing? Don’t be afraid. They’re people…humans. Share the wealth!

We will sell them stuff (homes, cars etc) we’ll all get rich, we’ll retire and die; and we will have done a good thing.

“Fear is the mind killer” - Frank Herbert

I think Obama wants to show Congress he isn’t a Lame Duck President even if the Republician wins either the House or Senate.  Or he is trying to push Congress into doing something about reform.

Didi: Yu no answer my question.  How I come here legally?  Yu tell me “rise up?” That sound all great and movie star history of you.  How I rise up? I go home, to the gangs, and tell them stop? I die in the street? I watch my children die? To rise up? Lucky yu.  Someone rose up for you before you were born.  I have no family to get me visa in US.  So I cant come legally like yor husband’s family.  There is no way for me if I don’t have education and don’t have family here.  There is nothing.  So you tell me “rise up” and make Mexico safe for my children?  How is that smart? How does that make sense? I dont want to die for Mexico.  I dont want my children to die because mommy says rise up.  I want to live my life, like yu live yor life.  You tell me, now, please how I live here legal.  I see a lawyer.  Lawyer told me there is no LAW that I can get here legal because I am WORTHLESS to US.  I am not educated.  I am not family.  I am nothing.  Well, I think I am something.  I think my children are something.  And I dont die and they dont die because I should rise up.

Sorry Nathan, but you are living with your head buried in the sand. The fine for speeding is monetary. For being in our country illegally the fine is deportation and should be exacted as quickly as that for a speeding ticket - 30 days maximum. Why the appeal process? If they are here illegally what is to appeal? Humanitarian considerations? Bunk!! They are ILLEGAL!! If
some of them happened to get away with it for 10, 15, 20 or more years before getting caught and they have jobs, cars, homes, and other property (all acquired illegally!!!) they still need to be deported immediately without any appeal process. The LTC is absolutely correct in that any amnesty would simply multiply the problem several fold.  Maria, it sounds as if you are one of the illegals from the kinds of thoughts you express. I suggest that if you really want to “share land” that you return to Mexico and share that land with your fellow citizens.

SamJr: I no yu never break a law.  Yu must be so wondrfol to never break a law.  And also so wise! Why not you move to Mexico? Become the president.  Teach us yor ways and we can all rise up!

By the way, you have a brother who like brown eyes???

**sigh**  This is totally hopeless.  It would be easier to have a rational discussion in Mecca on the existence of God, or debate in South Bend benefits of attending University of Southern California than to have a meaningful discussion here.  And almost NO ONE gets the true point of this story.  Create a poll with pie-in-the-sky conditions and then cite those numbers as evidence.

105% OF AMERICANS POLLED SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT AMNESTY IF EVERY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PAID $1,000,000 AND AGREED TO ARTIFICIAL STERILIZATION.  The numbers would be higher if more people realized the could vote more than once.

Oh wait, let’s cite some Right Wing / Left Wing web site as proof of our position.

The Republic of the United States of America is no more.  Long live the Empire.  The law and Constitution have been “reinterpreted”.

@Brian, who said: “

Obama takes a certain action.
Republicans strongly object.
Democrats say, “Well, Bush did it”.

Inference; when Bush did it it was wrong.

So, when Obama does it, it is right?...”

WRONG INFERENCE, Brian.

The correct inference follows:

“When Bush did it, you didn’t raise any objection, so it must have been AN OKAY THING to do, RIGHT?

After all,
You are not the sort of person who would
TURN A BLIND EYE eye to something WRONG, just because it was YOUR GUY doing it…
ARE YOU?”

That is the CORRECT inference!

105% OF AMERICANS POLLED SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT AMNESTY IF EVERY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PAID $1,000,000 AND AGREED TO ARTIFICIAL STERILIZATION.  The numbers would be higher if more people realized the could vote more than once.

Where can I find that poll, nitwit?

Actually Maria I don’t think that SamJr could migrate to Mexico their immigration laws are too tight. And as far as taking responsibility for the betterment of one’s country.  The US was every lawless at one time also but its citizens decided to change that.  And if you look at the US and Mexico they both evloved (as nations) around the same time frame.  Why did the US go one way and Mexico another.  Mexico is not a barren country it has natural resources just as the US andif not it certainly has the ability to be an industrial (manufacturing) country.

Nathan and Maria - I think you both miss the point. Our federal government needs “only” to begin forcefully to enforce existing laws and the biggest part of the illegal immigrant problem would solve itself. Were potential employers actually verifying the legal status of all potential employees and turning the illegals away, they would have no choice but to eventually return home. No job? No home, no care and no property (no money to pay).  Sorry Maria, I also make many mistakes. I also take my lumps and pay the consequences. In the case of illegal immigrants the consequence is supposed to be immediate deportation. Yes, the president may have the legal authority to make modifications to current law. That does not give him the moral authority to screw the rest of America by providing millions of illegals instant access to free education, free medical care and welfare. They have not paid into the system - 95% of them anyway. Those that have paid into the system have also done that illegally! They had no right to a Social Security card. Sorry Maria. I am not interested in becoming the president of Mexico. You yourself need to return and elect responsible officials who will help provide better education and health care for the people. You cannot do that by hiding out in the USA.  I have no brothers and have been married to a wonderful German woman for 40 years. She applied for a Green Card and accompanied me to the USA - LEGALLY!!!!

Now Nathan, calling names is not nice or Politically Correct.  The PC term is cognitively challenged.

The conditions in the poll I cite are not all that outrageous from the one you cite:  Apply, have a job, pay back taxes.

Point being, if you ask any questions with enough juicy caveats then you can get 90-105% to agree.

Again, you missed the point and an opportunity to discuss the real issue.  Sad.

And LTC: “Why did the US go one way and Mexico another.”

Yu sound like yu think it my fault Mexico is bad now cuz my ancesters didnt do what yor ancestors did? Yu did nothing.  Yu just hate and hate and it will eat yu up.

Maria,

Something smells rotten in Denmark (or Mexico, or whatever state you are hiding out in illegally), your grammar is atrocious, but you seem to have rather intelligent responses… Regardless, I suggest you move to Massachusetts with all the dirty libs that will love to support you and your illegal kids.  Good luck!

It’s been fun.  Have a nice weekend everyone.

Not a bad debate, almost no adhom.  However, not any concern exdpressed about the danger to national security posed by porous borders.

I invite every person, here, who thinks that the borders are too long or to expensive to completely control, to offer their thoughts on how that affects our national security.  Hundreds streaming into the US every day, unknown and unidentified, who may or may not wish us harm, and who may or may not be backed by Al Qaeda.

Ask the FBI for an estimate of how many foreign agents are in the country as we speak.
Those, who refuse to close the shutters against our enemies, aid them.

If Obama gives 12 million illegal immigrants amnesty, there will be a 10,000,000 man march on Washington to shut down the government until he is impeached and removed from office.

I hope that in November 2010 and November 2012 voters remember who supports breaking of federal law to suit their political ends.  They should remember who sued a state for enforcing laws while looking the other way while other states do not.  We have one political party in this country that is proud of the fact that they support illegal immigration and allowing the borders to be opened up to everyone and anyone who wants to enter this country.  Democrats.

If he does this, I will no longer support President Obama. People should never be rewarded while doing something illegal. I just can’t get around that fact.

Maria, That was about your stupidest comment thus far. Talitha did not express bitterness about her ancestors being brought forcibly to America. It was simply a statement of fact. The bitter person appears to be you that we would even consider that if you are here in the US illegally that you should be deported. The more you respond to comments the more bitter you sound.

Why is this not Mexico problem. Why can’t they support thier own people. They have the resouces.
The Mexican govnerment need to fix thier problems,
rather them say it’s american problem only. If they would pay good wages at the factory that have moved to Mexico people there could make a good living. Some of the manufacturer that are im Mexico are Schlage Lock, Hemi motors as example. So who not helping thier own. Should start at home where the problem begin.

Read your Constitution it clearly outlines who has the right to regulate immigration.  Before commenting on immigration, most of you should do more thorough research on the history of immigration law in the United States.  Going back to the 1700’s not 1900’s.  Also, sending all 11 million illegal immigrants home will not solve the major issue, but granting amnesty to all 11 million illegal immigrants won’t work either.  Regardless of party affiliation or opinion the following rules should be applied when coming up with balanced immigration reform: Humanity, justice, and sustainability.

Sam Nicolosi you, of course, are correct:
The correct inference follows:

“When Bush did it, you didn’t raise any objection, so it must have been AN OKAY THING to do, RIGHT?

After all,
You are not the sort of person who would
TURN A BLIND EYE eye to something WRONG, just because it was YOUR GUY doing it…
ARE YOU?”

If Obama tries ANYTHING to bypass Congress, that will provide legitimate legal grounds for IMPEACHING HIM. This is yet another reason why we should elect a REPUBLICAN MAJORITY House and Senate this fall! To curb Obama!

This is subversive. Don’t ordinary citizens get pt in jail for circumventing the law?

Ilegal Inmigrants are ilegal because there is not an honest viable way to inmigrate to US. When a foreigner asks information at any US embassy around the world, usually they tell her / him that such idea is beyond their means if the prospect imigrant is not a genius, a wealthy individual or a well connected celebrity. There are not applications for hardworking people or for average Joes, only for ‘la creme de la creme”. The only real option for a desperate person is to come here and show how serious they are about getting a better life, in the process they will get mixed signals, the American society welcomes CHEAP, cheap products, cheap energy, cheap labor; whatever is cheap here is much better than anything else in the third world, the imigrants will live in substandard comunities, very few will make more than minimum wage, and they will thank god for taking part of the american dream. But they will be blamed for anything that goes wrong, and there will be “tough” citizens who will asociate them with fraud, drug traficking, prostitution, and crime. After all: they are ilegal imigrants

Here’s a seldom mentioned, but novel concept;  for all of those who think that America somehow owes them a living, how about organizing and fighting for the things you want in your own country?  The cynical world sneers at the US, but envies it in many ways.  We offer, at sacrifice to our people and treasury, to teach them the ways of a democratic republic, and for the most part they seem unable to achieve it.

Are there no Founders there, who are willing to sacrifice “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor”?  Try putting your own house in order before you find fault with ours.

Pedro: Trust me-President Obama is NOT even REMOTELY thinking of re-election! He knows he is a one-term President. He also knows that after November, when the Republicans take control of the Congress (House AND Senate) - that his last 2-years in office will be the worst of any President in history. His Presidency will become worse than Jimmy Carter’s - if it hasn’‘t already.

I find myself both impressed (favorably) and dismayed by the comments posted here. the issues involved in establishing an effective, equitable and just immigration policy and practice are far from simple, else we would not be having this debate, and if the issues are not simple, then it is extremely unlikely that the solution(s) would be simple. A few considerations:

1. It is within the constitutional obligation (not just right) for the executive branch to interpret the laws established by Congress, subject to the limits imposed by the Judiciary. Party affiliation is irrelevant to this obligation, but does affect the manner in which the law is applied, I may agree with or object to the interpretation, that that is an inherent part of our governmental system, and helps to prevent tyranny.

2. The law is the law, but the law can be and often is changed. Most often, the law is changed as a consequence of an injured party gaining support for challenging the existing law. If the law were immutable, slave owners would still have three votes for every five slaves they owned…

3. I want to live here, not in amy of the other countries in which I have lived or have visited. That also means that I recognize the need for national security. This is an absolute.

4. However, we should never lose sight of the moral values that have underlaid our nation. One of them is at the base of a statue given us by France in 1886 (it was planned for a centenial gift in 1876): “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free…”

5. Perhaps a bit of understanding is called for in recognizing that some people come here illegally because of desperation… What laws would you or I break in order to better feed our respective families?

We must recognize that some of the principles of the last three items above contradict each other. I would argue that we must strive for a sense of balance here, not rigid adherence to one extreme principle or another - whether on the Right or the Left. Where there is controversy based upon differing values, then discourse and compromise is generally the most just means of resolving the conflict.

I suspect that stripping away the politics and rhetoric, most of us here would agree that our important values include both protecting the country (and its citizens) and trying to better the lives of people in general.

Amd finally, the issue that started this chain of posts talks about a means of legally relaxing certain immigration policies, but nowhere in the memo is there reference to wholesale amnesty, etc., nor some of the other extreme actions that have provoled such fear and ire.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone.

@ Brian F., who wrote:
“Not a bad debate, almost no adhom.  However, not any concern exdpressed about the danger to national security posed by porous borders.”

And:

“Those, who refuse to close the shutters against our enemies, aid them”.

Nice post, Brian, but I think that “the problem” is better framed as this question: “Are we willing to bear the RISK that is part and parcel with being an OPEN SOCIETY?

If we choose to “be kept safe”, we will not be free.
We have enormously long borders, and they have NEVER been sealed. The most we can accomplish as a free and open society is to identify, and then deal with the criminal element. We should stop worrying over transient farm workers who may have overstayed their work visas, or the hard working migrant parents who are just trying to give their children a better life. If our immigration quotas were more realistic, and not racially biased against
dark-skinned Latinos, this problem would not be so great.

Thank you, Sam.  While the ordinary catalogue of crimes resulting from uncontrolled immigration remains a legitimate concern, national security takes precedent over all.  You have touched on a point that receives little mention, because it seems to confound our efforts to cope with it.
As the world population grows, the numbers of poor, downtrodden and suffering people increases accordingly.  Perhaps even faster.  The freedoms that we seek to preserve are whittled away, by our own free will, as we attempt to raise the lifestyle of those less fortunate.
The beckoning sign on the Statue of Liberty invites all, but practically there has to be a limit.  The advocates of nation-building recognize that the best way to solve this is to bring our proven way of governing to other peoples, to teach them how to fish, instead of trying to feed them all.
However, no program of aid, no system of sharing and no effort at educating can be successful if we neglect our national security.  The cancer that is Al qaeda persists, and uncontrolled borders are an open invitation to those who would use the ease of entry to destroy us.

I would like you all to remeber that there are not just Mexicans here illegally.  How about Central Americans and what about those that are not Hispanic backgrounds that are living here too.

Undocumented foreign nationals ? - Do you mean ILLEGAL ALIENS?

If this does happen (by Exceutive Order)
then what about my Husband and tens of thousands who were kicked out and given a ten year BARR from the states, does this mean that the 212a9c is then NULL AND VOID?
(212a9c; multiple entries without premission/10 year barr).
I would like that very much as waiting the rest of his barr (4 years) would be hell, we already lost our house ours cars and our savings, when INS “re-instated” him.
As i am Disabled, i can hardly make it on my SS# check, need my guy back and my babies need their daddy, not to mention the bigger breadwinner in the family!  HE was supporting ME! ....none of that “dead beat” crap some people call illegals, living off the system happing in MY situation.

Come on Obama, you promised something, if CIR was done this year, they would take down the BARRS that so many families have to contend with, otherwise we have to wait until the time is up then they our spouses can come back.

Bring it.

If students who complete 12 grade cannot go any further to a University or College because they are here illegally (especially if they were brought here when they were still small kids) they will become criminals in the long term.

These students who are about 18 when they complete high school also want to live in this world and have a decent lifestyle like any other person.

If the Government does not let them get an education the Government is forcing them to become criminals.

How else will they earn the money they need for a decent life. By flipping burgers at Burger King for the rest of their lives?

In fact, they cannot even work at Burger King because they do not have a Social Security number and also cannot get a driving license so how will they go to work.

This is what is happening in many African Countries because there are insufficient schools and colleges.
I grew up in Zambia so I know.
Kids who fail Elementary school can’t go further and those who fail middle school can’t go onto High School so they sit around and do nothing.

After a few years they are grown up adults with no education or skills. So how will they get money to survive and meet their food bills and all?

By criminal acts , what else?

So His Excellency President Obama should enforce certain immigration laws in the name of public security.

DON’T THOSE REPUBLICAN SENATORS and that Tancredo guy UNDERSTAND THIS ?

Sam

YES! FIX IMMIGRATION NOW! YELLOW CARDS, PINK CARDS, ANY TYPE OF COLOR. MILLIONS WANT TO TRAVEL FREELY. LABOR SHOULD BE AS MOBILE AS CAPITAL.

What was all that tripe about Obama being the great hope to heal the country, to unite people, to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

He has done nothing but lie, divide, trash the constitution, appoint czars that are child-loving perverts, if it were within my power Obama would be gone it 30 seconds flat.

Here’s an idea, since to Obama laws were made to be broken, borders meant to be violated, why doesn’t he open up the white house to whoever wants to come on in and set up shop with him, molest his daughters, rape his wife, steal his food, his furniture, his peace of mind.  Why have laws about who can come in your house when you don’t have laws about who can come in your country illegally.  Then let them illegally invade obama’s space and educate the man what happens when you don’t enforce the law.

I despise obama and everything he stands for. 

He is teaching me one thing.  I now believe in the anti-christ and it is him.

Anne I think you are just a little over the top with the last comment. I think most everyone forgets that these are Human Beings. The only thing that really separates them from us is a divergent line drawn in the sand 100years ago but a war and a land purchase.

What I can’t understand is why we solely blame the immigrant. Yes they are violating an arbitrary law that is been subject to great change over 300 years. From the mid 18th century to the beginning of the 19th, this country was fed by an influx of western and eastern European immigrants. I know the phrase is cliche at this point but we are all sons and daughters of immigrants.

Part of me wants to say all you people with the rigid view of “get rid of them” is fueled by fear of a darker skinned people. I know this is not true. its too easy of an explanation. Chances are many of you have been affected by illegal aliens on some level, others may be fueling a partisan divide, some probably genuinely believe that the proper actions must be taken to earn the right to be an American citizen.

This document is funny and I’m surprised no one has considered that it’s an attempt by the Administration to force the issue. Congress has failed to do its job and make laws, so the executive is going to do its job and enforce existing laws haw it determines they should be. That is the basic role of those branches.

The fact is the document suggests ways to give amnesty to some individuals when the case warrants, ie illegals who came as children and are now adults, parents of multiple children now legal US citizens etc.

What I am aghast about is the lack of accountability that most of you show towards private industry in the states. Since many want a smaller gov’t we leave the policing of illegals to private companies who are supposed to turn down the cheaper labor and report suspected infraction. Instead they pursue their bottom line and we blissfully blame the illegals.

This issue is too complex for such rigid and simplistic stances. These are Human Beings who often are fleeing poverty, crime and destitution. I do not pretend to have the answers and I could go on for a great time with my opinions, the fact is we need a dialogue and a multi-faceted approach and none of this chest banging.

Grant, you make a couple of good points but I believe you missed on a couple of others. I for one do not blame the illegal immigrants. I simply have no tolerance for them!!  They are ILLEGAL! The federal government is to blame. You are wrong though in stating the fed has not passed laws to control the situation. Yes, they have passed laws - some good ones, too. Problem is that the government agency set up to enforce the laws has not done their job and continue to refuse to do their job. The tools are in place to handle the illegal immigration problem. Double whammy is that when states like Arizona realize the government is not enforcing federal law and they try to be proactive the government wants to quash their efforts. If the US were to institute a national ID card and that card had to be shown when applying for a job and when trying to rent or buy a residence, the problem would basically take care of itself. Without jobs and a place to live the illegals would quickly return home. Persons here on a work visa, student visa, etc., would have the appropriate stamp in their passport and that document would have to be shown in lieu of the national ID card. If the stamp is expired then the person is here illegally. So? No job, no place to live!  Good-bye, illegal. Adios. Auf Wiedersehen. Do Svidanie. Or whatever language they speak, as I really do understand that not only Hispanics are entering illegally - or entering legally and then staying beyond the legal deadline.

I wish Obama worked this hard for the legal citizens of the U.S. He’s a sellout.

Then why even have immigration laws and procedures?  We’ve had amnesty once in my lifetime already that I recall.  So we do it again.  And in another 20 years we do it again.  Why not just pull the guards off the borders?  They are breaking the law by simply being here illegally.  Many continue to break laws once here.  And there are quite a few here to do harm to our country.  WAKE UP!! 

We shouldn’t be talking about ways to make it easier for illegals to be in our country.  We need to make it harder.  Crack down on those who employ illegals.  Crack down on those that house illegals.  Then many will leave on their own if unable to find work and housing.  Those that don’t we need to put them in a tent city like the jail in one county down in Arizona for a certain period of time then ship them back to whatever country they are here from ILLEGALLY.

How are American citizens treated when they try to live in other countries illegally?  Would Mexico give me housing assistance and other governmental programs assistance if I went there and had a baby yet I was illegal?  Would China pay for my children to go to school there and teach them in English if I were there illegally?  Would I be able to find work and housing in Iraq if I were there illegally?

We have immigration procedures and laws.  Lets enforce the laws.  The rest of the world doesn’t worry about what Americans think of their immigration process and laws.  Why are we trying to cater to what the rest of the world thinks we should do?

Watch the deficit go nuts when you add 20 plus million to the national health care plan.

if you do it youll lose your freedom.

This whole illegal immigration thing is about nothing else but many good (but somewhat poor) people wanting a better life for their kids and themselves because the country they live in is messed up and they cannot fight the politicians there.

And it is also about COMPASSION.

These folks cannot get jobs in their countries because of intolerable corruption, with what little money they can earn, they cannot even afford the most basic things in life for survival
and the economy has gone to the dogs.

In many countries the politicians are getting richer
and only a few rich people run the economy.

The majority of the people have a hopeless existence.

Put yourself in thier shoes .
If you had a family with kids and you could not get enough food and then you look across the fence and you your neighbor has a lot of food and great lifestyle, will you not ask them to help you?

This is why they came to USA and are asking Obama for help.

Have compassion guys.
Jesus did.
If you are not a Christian that is OK but all religions demand that followers should have a merciful heart.

Sam
Guy-from-Zambia

Sorry, Sam from Zambia. Although I really do understand their problems and family concerns I still say they need to come here legally or not at all. The law is still the law. As Angel pointed out a bit earlier if we were to try and enter Mexico or many other countries we would be stopped cold in our tracks. In Mexico we would be summarily thrown in jail - for starters!! Agreed that it takes a long time to work your way up the list for legal entry into the US. That is not a hit on our quotas. It is simply indicative of just how many people from all over the world want so much to come to America. Do it legally or pay the consequences. Those who enter illegally are doing their families a disservice for if they are caught they should be immediately deported. Once returning to their home country they then have to try and get jobs locally again since they gave it up to sneak into the US. Yes, compassion is wonderful but I see no reason to sacrifice everything I and my family have worked so hard for in order to hand it all over to criminals, and that is what an illegal immigrant is - a criminal. They have one single “right” in our country when they enter illegally - they have the right to get the hell out!!

The problem is most of the guys who are against giving legal status to illegals do NOT understand economics.

Like most uninformed people who do not know a damn thing about world politics, they say meaningless stuff.(Go Ahead, get mad at me now).

Most of these guys know where the Burger King or Wal-Mart is and may be a few things about where they work.

Most have NO IDEA about things like geography, world politics, gobal economy etc.

Do you think all these illegals are NOT working right now?

Of course they are - but they are not paying income taxes because they do not have a social security number,
They get paid in cash.
Guve them SS number so they can pay income taxes and file tax returns.

If you don.t like illegal immigration then first have consensus amongst the senators and then in a serious manner with specific intent draw up a proper plan and execute it.

Guy-from-Zambia

Bypass Congress.
Please remember if a POTUS can bypass Congress to do what you want, he can bypass it to do what you don’t want. There is separation of powers for a reason
Impeachment. It’s not just for sex any more.

Yes Sam Jr.
Laws are very important.
We are talking about human beings and America is not just any other coubtry in the world like Mexico

USA stands for freedom - it is the ONE country in the world where a person can be really free and where COMPASSION in embedded in its CONSTITUTION.

When we are talking about people who have been here for many years,  have children born in USA and these kids are in middle schools and High schools then deporting them is INHUMANE.

YOU YOURSELF may not like that and may be supporting inhumane behaviour is not a big deal for you.
In fact now so many people are upset with how the Government is handling the immigration issue that many people do not care about illegals or how they are treated.

If it was upto people who had no compassion then I guess just round them up and shoot them, RIGHT?
After all, they broke the law, right?

Take some time to FULLY UNDERSTAND the meaning of the word COMPASSION and not just from a linguistic point of view but from deep within your heart.

Guy from Zambia

OK - so instead of criticising His Excellency President Obama, let us strongly urge him to enforce that “Leaked Memo from White House”.

First fix the existing problem then plug the loop holes in the system.

Guy from Zambia

We were once a nation of laws. We all understood we had to conduct our lives within the bounds of the law.

Now we seem to have become a nation lead by law breakers recruiting and conspiring with other law breakers, all at the expense of law abiders.

This would be good.  We would be able to rescue our brethren being murdered and oppressed in South Africa and Rhodesia.

“First fix the existing problem then plug the loop holes in the system.

Guy from Zambia “

Cart before the horse syndrome.  The ship has a hole in its hull.  First, bale furiously to empty out the water, then fix the hole in the hill..

Yes John, I know we were once a nation of laws.

And in that same country at one time, in 1650 to be exact, Connecticut legalized slavery.

And in that same country, in 1664, Maryland established slavery for life for persons of African ancestry.

And in that same country,in 1670,Massachusetts permitted the sale of children of enslaved parents.

And in that same country, in 1672, Virginia law banned prosecution for the killing of a black slave if the death came during the course of his or her apprehension.

And in that same country, in 1917 a Riot erupted in Houston between black soldiers and white citizens; Twenty-nine black soldiers were EXECUTED because TWO WHITE people were shot while trying to curb civil restlessness.

You need to understand that Laws are meant for people and PEOPLE ARE NOT MADE FOR LAWS.

Sometimes the Laws need to be changed.

Guy from Zambia

Yes Brian Fortier,
There is always an exception to the Rule.
Because Rules are made for people and not other way round. People are not made for Rules.

Sometimes in order to be practical, we have to make an exception to the Rule.
If the Ship was sinking of course you would plug the hole first.

But sometimes life situations are somewhat different from your TEXTBOOK PHILOSOPHY and requires moe humane and practical execution of solutions at hand.

You know, all of us can go on and on and on till Christ comes back with all kinds of smart replies to each others comments.
But that takes us nowhere.

At some point some action has to be taken.
Pesident Obama keeps saying “The buck stops here” and that he does not wish to “Kick the can down the road ” but that is EXACTLY what he is doing at the moment.

The white guys ruled in India for 400 years and made laws that were good for them but not for Indians.
You think that was cool.
Of course those silly laws will be broken by the people who are natives.

OK That is enough for me now,

Sam
Guy from Zambia

an immigration reform gonna help lots of people and i think he gonna get through

Guy From Zambia,

Two corrections:  My remarks are not meant to be “smart” remarks, and should not be taken as such.

No, I do not think it was “cool” that India was ruled by England or anyone else.

You night have missed my invitation to you and others to offer solutions to the multiude of problems that unchecked illegal immigration causes, mostly for national security.

In doing so, remember the example resulting from Reagan’s amnesty program, which did provide a humane solution to the illegals already here, but had the unintended consequences of encouraging hordes of new seekers to cross the borders without authorization.  So, the problem persists, today. Once assylum has been granted, pressure to comtrol the borders wanes.  See the history.

While the main focus has been on the Hispanics, the ban applies to all races and creeds, simply requiring them to comply with the law, as all other countries do.

As a matter of logic, consider this;  if prior to coming into this country, a person demonstrates his/her disdain for the law, and claims that other considerations take precedence,  why should anyone think that they will have respect for the law after they become citizens?

I live in AZ.  I do not know one person here who does admire the average illegal immigrant.  These folks do some incredible things to come here and are generally hardworking, honest, and family centered.  They are, however, used and abused by employers and coyotes.  Their families can be terrorized and even murdered if the illegal does not comply with their coyote’s demands.  Supporting illegal immigration means that you support this abuse.  In many cases these folks are little more than slaves.  While people I know admire them we want the law enforced and that they not be allowed into the country illegally to protect the illegals and protect our state from the criminals, welfare addicts, etc.  All of these people I know favor a good guest worker problem to allow people to cross the border and go home.  We know why Democrats want to give illegals amnesty.  We know why Democrats oppose various methods to eliminate trafficking in human beings.  We know why Democrats oppose legislation designed to make being an illegal so hard that the illegals return to their home countries.  We know why Democrats oppose laws like those requiring photo IDs to vote.  It is not because Democrats are wonderful, thoughtful, and understanding.  It is for what they hope will be political gain.

This is a nice debate, while I sympathized those illegals who wants to have a better future it will be unfair if they were prioritized over those people who are waiting for their visa numbers who are still in their countries waiting for decades or more either by family & employment category.
Let’s just offer some solutions that are realistic on todays administration agenda, to set aside all our differences & tackle immigration once & for all.

You think I’m over the top?  Lol, its obama who is over the top.  Obama is the one who no longer abides by the rules or by the constitution he SWORE TO UPHOLD.  You have your opinion and I have mine.

Fortunately mine is right and you are wrong.

Anne, what was all that about perverts, trashing and dividing and lying.
What has Obama done to trash the Constitution?
no, really list please.
You talk a tuff talk lets see you walk.
Damn, what a downer.
Anti Christ?
need a med change?
no really, list some stuff (remember to compare simular things done by other presidents as well ie: BUSH).
Thank you and PLEASE try to have a nice day.

A descendant of white cattle rustler has no right to question a brown person about his authenticity. SB 1070 is a racial profiling law. All those who are for it are sh#@ scared of coloring of America. This is exactly what is going on in Gaza. Arizona was all brown before whites stole it and now they are questioning these poor brown folks why they are here.

It is about time Mr President, Congress, specially the republicans will never do anything to help the immigrants !!!! They are afraid of offending their base and they will use fear to try to stop Immigration reform.
May God bless you for doing the right think!!!!!

lets see, 12 million illegals (estimated) in America,
perhaps if there is a path to citizenship, and a fine is charged, say, $2000.00 per person, and only HALF stepped up to the plate, then that would be i THINK (correct me if i am wrong) 6 mil x two thou is….... 20 BILLION DOLLARS!
sounds good to me, and lets us not about the money paid to the Government for BACK taxes (no doubt 2 years worth)  oh, and for those out of the country with 3, 10 and 20 year barrs, another several billion due to the fines in order to waive these barrs.

CIR will more than pay for itself, but will ensure that Social Security is around for a LONG time.

That is unless another “Bush” type President decides to dip into Social Security again to pay for his (or her) war.

Under the comprehensive reform/amnesty plan, proponents say illegal immigrants should be given a “path to citizenship” as long as they pay a fine, learn English and go to the “back of the line.”  Could they please tell us what “going to the back of the line” means?  Do they know that there are people in line to obtain visas to come to America who have been waiting for 15 years, maybe longer?  So what do they mean when they say illegal immigrants need to go to the back of the line?  Are they actually saying it makes more sense to come in to this country illegally than waiting to enter legally?  Also, do they know that if 12 million illegal immigrants are legalized, that means each one can sponsor family members to come in legally, so we’re not talking about just 12 million people.  If each legalized illegal brings in let’s say an average of 5 family members, isn’t that 60 million people?  Or, are the Dems looking at 60 million voters?  It’s really about politics, isn’t it?

If this is the case where you give them a green card if they pay back tax’s and other pay out’s they have taken from the Usa .All you will hear how 20 mill illegal’s came here yesterday and does not owe anything just give me a green card for free

It’s way past the time to start cutting back on the powers accumulated by the executive branch.

This news seems, on the face of it, to be terrible.
Relax. President O’Bama has screwed up so many times that Democrats will be lucky to be elected dog catcher.
Americans will take at least a generation before we can forget his assault on America and our freedoms. His total disreguard of the will of the American people and our traditions has put his party on the severely endangered list. The reason we have regular elections is to get rid of those failing to do their sworn duties to protect, defend, and enforce the laws of the constitution.
Now the Supreme Court is eroding the Miranda laws and our President wants to be able to shut down the Internet.
Exactly what are they planning that makes them afraid of the world finding out?

Bottom line is absolutely NO ONE cares about what we all say.
Do you think His Excellency President Obama actually reads this stuff we write.
And those guys working for him - they are there for every other reason than to help solve THIS problem.
Nancy Pelosi was the first woman to be blah, blah blah….... what did she do… NOTHING.
Even Pastors in big churches don’t have compassion on some of the folks in their congregation who have real problems.
Try to get an appointment with any pastor for some help a poor , tired guy needs.
No Chance.

But call that pastor and tell him you wanna donate $10,000 to his church, he will see you next day !!

Let the illegals come forward and register themelves and give them SOME status,. Then you will have only a handful of people who may have not registered.
Most likely, those are the ones who are here for the wrong reason

They stopped giving licenses to illegals - well, how many illegals left USA because they have no license to drive ??

They just created another problem - people driving withour licenses.

We know all these bloodsuckers.

To be honest we are all wasting time writing stuff here.
Really guys - NO ONE CARES.

Guy from Zambia

This Obama supporter would definitely no longer be one…......

Why would you not support Obama any more?

Because now the immigration situation has reached a boiling point and SOMETHING has to be done about it
and Obama happens to be the Commander in Chief.

Since he knows that not doing anything is NOT the solution.

Nancy Pelosi did nothing about it.
The Republicans are doing nothing about it.
Bush did nothing about it.
Blame THOSE guys my friend.

So now it has come to a point where something HAS to be done.

So now is the time to bail out on Obama???
Come on man - have a backbone and stand up to the challenge of the day.

Guy from Zambia

Has anyone else beside me noticed that the people that are FOR illegal immigration cannot; 1) spell worth a damn? 2) Use more than three words to form a sentence that actually means anything?

What about immigration reform for the employment based categories?

Why should US-educated, law-abiding, rule-observing hard-working people perfectly adjusted to the US culture, speaking perfect English and sharing American values, motivated to achieve their American dream should have to wait up to 12 years to get a green card and jump through series of legal hoops that cost their sponsoring businesses 10’s of thousands of dollars to be permitted to live and contribute to the US economy permanently??

Apart from their human stories, these people are an important resource for the country. This resource is continuously mismanaged and it is disappointing and disheartening to see it again ignored in the memo.

Mr. Gregory Romeu,

do you think perhaps anyone else noticed you use the word “that”  twice?  I believe the second time when you used “that” it should have been “who”
I think both are okay, but one sounds better than the other.
Oh, and also, you have no capital on the word “spell’  but you do on the word “use”
If you are going to criticize, be constistent and precise.

Sorry but you asked for it.
Did you forget to use the spellcheck option?
(i dont have one, i and could really use it sometimes my spelling is atroshish (atrocious), and I am a college grad. so what is my excuse?)

This really is no big deal but you are missing those comments from people whom have excellent spelling and grammar that are FOR illegal immigration, and those like myself who are also FOR illegal immigration who do not have such a talent.

So, is that the best you can do?

No, wait…please, no more hate, it is disgusting.

The Guy from Zambia has better grammar than I and I am a 4th generation BORN anglo American citizen, of 46 years.

Or did you conviently overlook this fellows’ writting?

Chill.

Thank you “English Teacher” for settling that one.
Bravo !

I am appealing to Mr. Marcus Stern (the Journalist for ProPublica who wrote the article) to take some action in making the White House aware of all the ideas presented here by so many people.

I think a lot has been said on the issue of illegal immigration.

I can ASSURE you that those who have any interest in the matter are already aware of almost everything that has been said in favor or against the issue at hand (in Zambia we spelt it ‘“FAVOUR” because we used British English there).

I think it would be safe to say most people have made up their minds on the issue.

How loudly does one need to shout out to the President to let him know that SOMETHING needs to be done TODAY and NOT TOMORROW to resolve the issue.

The “Deferred Action” suggestion is right on track here so that many illegals who have some way of becoming legal in future can start paying taxes, get driving licences and become effective contributors in their community.

For a person who is dying for relief, each and every day that goes by without any action just make things worse.

Guy from Zambia.

Frank,

if that is the case of some of the people who just came here recently, then no it would not make sense to make them pay back taxes.
However, they would still have to pay a fine, and i think it should be one thou each (although there are some who thik it should be less)  AND they will then be paying into Social Security, hence the Security point i was making, it makes me nervous that #SS might be “Tapped out” one day, Havers!
Anyway the ones who step forward are going to have to show proof of job, sponsor etc..(this is what i read in the Senate “CIR” intro brought out i think in June).
So the Feds WOULD know how long they have been here etc.. (or so we think)
But it would be best for the Economy i feel, let these people pay their way.
And i dont mean the ones using false #SS cards because those people are ALREADY paying their way and dont get that money back, i know i used to do payroll for a construction company in Dallas who only had 2 legals out of 40 employees.
I took out FICA and #SS and they will never see that money again, Uncle Sam has it.
Also i live here in El Paso Texas right across the border from Juarez, the most dangerous city in the world right now, so believe me, i want border security as much as anyone!
Srangely enough El Paso is the 3rd safest city in the united States.
Go figure.
Lets do CIR and get it over with yesterday is not soon enough.
Thank you.

Well well well. Mr. President this will be really good & smart move to in order to partially cover the Immigration issues.. in the right order.. 1) Legal Immigrants who are waiting for Long queue for VISA Number availibility which will boost the Economy & paying the taxes. 2) Youth group who are here since their childhood/toddler age. 3) Resolve the bigger remaining issue of Illegal-amnesty, which itself can take in few steps.

Thank you and We support your move and administration.

Horray!  Lets start a ground swell of calls and tetters to every congress person to put them on notice that the people approve and are watching them.
What ever the terms, congress has shown us that they would rather obstruct than come together for the common good.
Way to go Obama! Get it more than started.

Remember when the will of the people (and i mean citizens) was given at least cursory consideration via Congress’ role in policymaking? Yes, i know…seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? Much better to have a King than a president, eh?

Whether you support or oppose immigration reform, there is a much bigger concern here. Please try to see it.

This won’t be popular. However I stand behind this being the fairest at this time,
But since I see how people have difficulties admitting truthfully that they have differing ideas when it comes to party affiliation, and hearing how fellow Americans SAY their Democrats and sound like Republicans—-I’m inclined to deduce there’s some people having less than sound integrity in their words which I want to set apart my character on my word, from now on I’ll state exactly what I stand for or against.
Being as how the Democratic party and the President have opted not just granting illegals a pathway but opt to USE this to their party’s advantage not caring where the moral conduct becomes outright criminal dishonesty, Mr Reagan already granted Amnesty. He said it was this once for you Democrats in congress that weanted it. But that was it. He said this is not the pathway to citizenship. And we HAVE laws existing on immigration. That they would not follow the requirements, learn our history, learn our way of life, respect out country and our flag and those that died to leave it to us, and to learn our native language-English! And that they would not appreciate it as much as others that worked hard to get here and DID all those proudly!
I am against any change in existing laws-and feel what we have is not needing to be added to, or detracted from, or expanded upon, or viewed as un-enforcable either! And I support the AZ State law, and feel no changes are needed to our existing immigration law. Other then to respectfully support the efforts of the federal government by including local law to assist with enforcement also as such.
This is the fairest to all Americans, natural born or granted that are fellow citizens!

Steve is correct. Enforce the laws we have the federal government is ignoring. Legals are welcomed, illegals and criminals are not. By legalizing all were committing to billions in welfare for these people. Mexico has 0 welfare. Were taking care of that for them. The surrounding government need to put pressure on Mexico to help their own to keep them from going to another country due to poverty. Make their country a better place to live and work. After all that is the “bill of goods” we were told when the North American Trade Agreement was shoved down our throats. “To make a better life for those in the third world counties”. Ya right, thay wanted to reduce the US to two classes and their doing it….

This is what i do not understand, HOW can illegals get Welfare?
From my observations over the years of other people, and i mean American Citizens, they needed a Social Security card to get ANY assistance from the government.
Now i can see how illegals cans get health care (emergency rooms..etc.) but WELFARE?
Please explain to me why soooo many people who are anti-illegal immigrant say this all the time.

I need some type of facts, please because even when I go to do something myself ( rent an apartment, get a job,)  i need a #SS card.
( and the places i rent from ALWAYS do a back round check with my #SS card ).

Now are they able to get welfare because of all the fake Social Security cards floating around out there? because if that is the case, then what about what Susan in this blog said about, her taking out SS and FICA from these illegals’ checks ( and OF COURSE they dont see the money again ) so in reality, they ARE paying for something.

And one blogger ( cant remember which site ) said that illegals were getting UNEMPLOYMENT benefits!
now explain THAT one to me.

Tell me how they get Welfare?

Because when i use to work in the office of a cafe,
we were continually getting letters from the Social Security Officials syaing the numbers on some of our employees did not match, so my boss had to let them go, so how can the Welfare office not get it together to check the fake socials?

Just a question.