President Barack Obama’s plan to sidestep Congress and order his own action on immigration, sparing as many as 5 million people from deportation is drawing a mixed response:
“With this latest executive order, President Obama is making new law by bypassing Congress. I’m already discussing with other governors a long-term solution to immigration reform as well as an appropriate legal response to this unconstitutional overreach of the White House. North Carolina is not a border state, but it’s impacted by illegal immigration. I’m extremely concerned about the potentially negative impact of this executive order on our public schools, health services and public safety.”
— Governor Pat McCrory
“We are relieved and grateful that President Obama finally has kept his promise to address our broken immigration system and relieve the fear of permanent exile and family separation that has plagued immigrants and American families. With this temporary relief, parents of U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident children, as well as adults who have been raised and educated in our communities, will have the opportunity to pursue their educations, open businesses, advance their careers, and continue to contribute to our cities and economy. The president’s plan will help restore some stability to American families, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses that have struggled in recent years as the government has detained and deported people at a record pace. While the president’s program is a step in the right direction, we regret that it still excludes many parents and other individuals who have deep roots in U.S. communities. We will continue to encourage Congress to fulfill its obligation to create a permanent solution that makes our immigration system more humane and functional for everyone.”
— National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy
“Tonight the President announced his intention to pursue amnesty for illegal immigrants through executive action. This decision, counter to his own statements over the last few years, represents the very height of Presidential arrogance and signifies a dangerous shift from a nation of laws to a nation of men. In order to achieve some sort of gain for his political party, the President risks damage to the rule of law in our nation, but he also threatens a more immediate impact on those here legally, those following the legal process to gain entry into our country, and others struggling to find work in a fragile economy. Our border states will also be further stressed as they deal with another, almost certain surge of additional illegal immigrants looking for similar treatment from this White House.”
– U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)
“After two years of failed promises and delay tactics from Speaker Boehner and House Republicans, the time has come for decisive action to fix our broken immigration system. The cost of inaction has simply become too great. Republicans who have criticized the administration would be wise to consult their history books. Every President since Eisenhower has exercised Executive authority on immigration, including five Republicans. Arguing that President Obama’s actions are unconstitutional is both false and disingenuous.
“That said, the President’s action is limited in scope and should not be interpreted as a substitute for congressional action – in fact, the administration has strongly encouraged the House and Senate to pass a comprehensive reform bill that would supersede the Executive Order and deal with the full range of immigration challenges. I hope my Republican colleagues will heed this call.
“We must always remember that we are a nation of immigrants, and I commend the President for using his Executive authority to correct broken immigration policies that have persisted for too long and are doing our country great damage. My hope is that this action will at long last break the partisan logjam and allow for real progress on comprehensive immigration reform.” – Congressman David Price (D-NC)
