Democrats and Republicans Still Fight Over Immigration

Like many believed would happen, the Republicans taking control of the house have Democrats up in arms about immigration.

Democratic leader, Senator Harry Reid explains, “Republicans have only been in control for a week, and already they are picking an unnecessary political fight that risks shutting down the Department of Homeland Security”.

Republicans rebutted, saying that the debate is not about immigration, it is about a president who had exceeded his authority by rewriting immigration law without Congress’ consent. The House prohibits the use of any government funds to pay for the manpower necessary to carry out Obama’s Executive Action – the processing of immigrant applications and work permits. How this will affect immigration bonds is still undetermined. 

Democrats feel that the House should pass the bill for extra funding, so that the executive action can avoid having to pull from the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, and Republicans disagree.

The Homeland Security funds will be depleted on February 27^th, so there is no foreseeing what will happen from now until then. There are millions of federal employees with the department that will have to work without pay (including Border Patrol and TSA), and must report to work regardless if their agency is ‘effectively shut down’.

With the inability to agree on any immigration issue, we are either a nation of laws or are lawless – black or white, no gray.