The Reason for Obama’s Delayed Immigration Action

In an interview given mid-November in Australia, President Obama insisted that he “has not changed his position” on immigration and that “limits of his executive authority” have been the source of his delayed immigration action.  President Obama has discussed his plan of “deportation relief” which would delay the deportation of up to five million immigrants and provide many with work permits.

The President has made several announcements saying that he will reduce deportations and adjust immigration reform efforts in order to keep families together, even if Congress continues to delay getting on board with his efforts.

Activists have pressed the President to enforce his immigration goals, in which he replied, “This is something that I have struggled with throughout my entire presidency… The problem is that I am the president of the United States, I am not the emperor of the United States. My job is to execute laws that are passed”.

White House officials have confirmed that the President’s comments in regards to immigration over the years reflect change in emphasis, not in opinion. President Obama previously emphasized his limitation in authority because of Congress, now he emphasizes his ability to act. Since 2010, immigration activists have pressured Obama to act on his own in order to finally restructure the immigration system, but the President has urged the people to tell Congress to pass an immigration reform bill.

With the entire nation segregated on immigration reform what will our political leaders do? More and more immigrants come to the United States seeking refuge from their drug and violence saturated countries. If Congress is not on board with “deportation relief” then more options need to be presented, discussed, and a resolution needs to come quick.