Enough already. I’m tired of the very serious issue of immigration reform being kicked around like the proverbial political football.
Since the midterms, "we the people" have been besieged with Washington’s overheated rhetoric. Republican Leaders Mitch McConnell and John Boehner used their first post-election statements to warn the president that executive action on immigration would be political suicide. “When you play with matches you take the risk of burning yourself, House Speaker Boehner threatened, “and he’s going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path.” President Obama in turn, reiterated his resolve, saying, “I’m going to do what I can do on executive action.”
Now comes word that the president is within days of announcing specifics of his planned executive order. Fox News leaked details of a draft: 10 action steps, including suspending deportations and expanding protection for the kids brought here illegally by their parents known as the Dreamers. These two actions alone would mean more than four million adults could stay legally, and also about 300,000 more Dreamers would not be deported. Other actions include stronger border patrols, and an end to Secure Communities. There would be a path to citizenship, but only for the select immigrants and their spouses holding tech jobs.
I expected President Obama to keep his promise and sign something like this. There is too much at stake. Latino activists were infuriated when he postponed executive action until after the election. At a campaign stop in Connecticut, the president was shouted down over it.
Even understanding that he had little choice; I am surprised that the details — at least as revealed in the leaks — are this strong. If what’s been disclosed becomes final, it will represent what Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez urged the President to design — a bill that would be “broad and generous” in tackling all of the controversial aspects of immigration reform. While it would presumably restore him and the Democratic party to the good graces of the powerful Latino constituency, it would also escalate the battle royal with the Republicans. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama explained the GOP strategy in an op-ed for Politico. Sessions said Congress would stop the executive order by blocking funding. “Congress has the power of the purse,” he wrote. “The president can not spend a dime unless Congress appropriates it.”
Which may leave us back at the beginning with no reforms, more anger, and gridlock. Look for Republicans to withhold support on other pressing issues, and delay judicial nominations.
Call it a lack of courage, general wussiness, whatever. All I know is that this ongoing impasse leaves 11 million undocumented immigrants working and raising families but living in the shadows. Those who fervently say, "send them back" should understand this is a problem with huge economic and social consequences for all Americans.
Before the election 44 percent of likely voters told pollsters that immigration reform was critically important. Look for our current political leadership to ignore the message. Seems they will toss around that political football until it becomes a political hot potato and they risk being scorched.
