President Obama’s batting average in the leadership category has, to put it mildly, been weak of late. But last Thursday, August 18, it seems he stepped up to the plate.
In a little publicized action, “the administration” decided to put a low priority on rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrants who pose a low security risk.
The media reports on this action were varied and low key. One report said that Obama decreed this new policy through an executive order. Another report I saw claimed that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recommended this change via a letter to the Senate.
Regardless of the source, this action will reportedly allow undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, particularly those brought here as children, to seek work permits and thus work here and stay here, at least for a time, without harassment. One would hope that this would also clear the way to college enrollment for those so inclined.
It’s about damn time. The so-called Dream Act gave our politicians a chance to move in this direction earlier this year, and our politicians voted it down. This order does not go as far as the Dream Act would have, but it is a start in resolving an issue that has been wasting our time and dollars for far too long.
The arguments against allowing some slack for low risk illegals currently in this country range from the weak to the downright silly.
“THEY TAKE JOBS FROM AMERICANS.” Nonsense. Most of our citizens who are out of work will remain on unemployment indefinitely rather than take jobs in the fields or service industries where many immigrants willingly work to establish themselves.
“THEY DON’T PAY TAXES.” This claim is either complete ignorance of the tax code, an outright lie, or an accusation that merits finger pointing at the employers of undocumented workers. We should fix this problem at its source, if necessary.
“THEY WORK FOR LESS THAN AMERICANS DO.” If true, so what? Our conservative friends constantly sing the praises of high corporate profits and continually call for a repeal of the minimum wage law for American workers. Can’t have it both ways.
“THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. THEY BROKE THE LAW.” When talking about illegals brought here as children, that is just silly. As for the adults who merit this accusation, I’ll get back to you on that as soon as I check the accusers’ education records and employment history against their curriculum vitae, their drinking habits, driving records, tax returns, computer files, financial history, and genealogy! I can be pretty thorough; any volunteers?
“THEY COULD BE DANGEROUS.” What do bulging prisons full of American citizens tell you about US?
Undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children or those who are here working and contributing in some way, such as the illegal immigrant in Albuquerque who is working as a mechanic and just last week rescued a kidnapped three year old child, should be allowed to continue their pursuit of happiness in this country.
This is not to say we should throw open our borders to any and all comers. That is a completely different issue that also needs to be dealt with: soon and with some backbone.
As for this decision, Obama got it right.
In a little publicized action, “the administration” decided to put a low priority on rounding up and deporting undocumented immigrants who pose a low security risk.
The media reports on this action were varied and low key. One report said that Obama decreed this new policy through an executive order. Another report I saw claimed that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recommended this change via a letter to the Senate.
Regardless of the source, this action will reportedly allow undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, particularly those brought here as children, to seek work permits and thus work here and stay here, at least for a time, without harassment. One would hope that this would also clear the way to college enrollment for those so inclined.
It’s about damn time. The so-called Dream Act gave our politicians a chance to move in this direction earlier this year, and our politicians voted it down. This order does not go as far as the Dream Act would have, but it is a start in resolving an issue that has been wasting our time and dollars for far too long.
The arguments against allowing some slack for low risk illegals currently in this country range from the weak to the downright silly.
“THEY TAKE JOBS FROM AMERICANS.” Nonsense. Most of our citizens who are out of work will remain on unemployment indefinitely rather than take jobs in the fields or service industries where many immigrants willingly work to establish themselves.
“THEY DON’T PAY TAXES.” This claim is either complete ignorance of the tax code, an outright lie, or an accusation that merits finger pointing at the employers of undocumented workers. We should fix this problem at its source, if necessary.
“THEY WORK FOR LESS THAN AMERICANS DO.” If true, so what? Our conservative friends constantly sing the praises of high corporate profits and continually call for a repeal of the minimum wage law for American workers. Can’t have it both ways.
“THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. THEY BROKE THE LAW.” When talking about illegals brought here as children, that is just silly. As for the adults who merit this accusation, I’ll get back to you on that as soon as I check the accusers’ education records and employment history against their curriculum vitae, their drinking habits, driving records, tax returns, computer files, financial history, and genealogy! I can be pretty thorough; any volunteers?
“THEY COULD BE DANGEROUS.” What do bulging prisons full of American citizens tell you about US?
Undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children or those who are here working and contributing in some way, such as the illegal immigrant in Albuquerque who is working as a mechanic and just last week rescued a kidnapped three year old child, should be allowed to continue their pursuit of happiness in this country.
This is not to say we should throw open our borders to any and all comers. That is a completely different issue that also needs to be dealt with: soon and with some backbone.
As for this decision, Obama got it right.
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