Immigration Dispute Has Constitutional Undertones
Differences between the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush on economic policies are profound. However, when it comes to ignoring constitutional provisions mandating separation of powers, the two presidents are more alike than distinct. This phenomenon can be seen clearly in the latest maneuver by President Obama to implement a more lenient immigration policy; one in direct violation of current federal deportation law.
Dealing with illegal immigration always has been a thorny problem for presidents and members of Congress. Republicans generally favor a more restrictive policy; their Democratic counterparts a more lenient approach. This ideological gulf has stymied immigration reform legislation for years.
Facing a difficult reelection climate, and frustrated by the inability of his party to move immigration reform legislation through the Congress, Obama has decided to simply ignore existing federal law requiring deportation of illegal aliens in custody. He has decreed that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who would otherwise be subject to mandatory deportation, will be permitted to stay in the United States; including many illegals currently enrolled in schools.
Critics of this new policy call it what it is really is – backdoor amnesty.
Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, notes that what President Obama has done is implement a major component of his agenda – and one that may very well boost his support among Latino voters — through executive fiat. Spakovsky wrote in a recent Heritage blog, “[i]t is no coincidence that the factors that DHS [Department of Homeland Security] says it will now consider are the very same provisions that were in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors or DREAM Act that was proposed by Senator Dick Durbin.” That legislation was supported heavily by Obama, but opposed by House Republicans.
While supporters of the administration’s policy may defend the action as limited, The New York Times notes the DREAM Act would pave the way for as many as two million illegal immigrants to obtain “legal status” – or amnesty – from the federal government.
This new policy confirms what many critics have long-feared; namely the president’s lack of respect for the laws he is tasked with enforcing, and contempt for the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. The same attitude was reflected by his predecessor, who flouted laws he decided unduly limited his powers as Commander in Chief.
Our Founding Fathers, having waged a bloody war for independence from an all-powerful monarch, intended each of the three branches of our new government to have and observe defined responsibilities as checks on the other two. The president, while exercising significant executive powers, still was bound to operate within limits set by the Congress through legislation and appropriations.
It is not as if Obama is unaware of how his latest move runs counter to that framework. As Spakovsky notes, “when the President spoke to the National Council of La Raza in July, he said that he could not go around Congress and implement immigration ‘reform’ or grant an amnesty because ‘that’s not how our democracy functions.’” What a difference a month makes.
This immigration dust up once again illustrates a serious and worsening defect in the mechanism of constitutional governance. Congressional inaction often opens the door for presidents do what they want, even though they are either not empowered to so act, or prohibited from doing so by legislation.
The Congress is as much to blame as the president.. More often than not, members either ignore such slaps at their authority, or simply complain vacuously and then move on to other concerns. This process serves to further weaken the carefully crafted checks and balances supposed to have been a hallmark of our government.
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142 comments Add your comment
DawgDad
August 29th, 2011
12:08 pm
And by the way, we are NOT a “nation of immigrants”. I am NOT an immigrant, I’m a native-born American citizen, as are the vast majority of American citizens (reportedly, our President, too!).
Chet
August 29th, 2011
12:11 pm
I find all of you very funny, because the key word in illegal immigrant is……….. ILLEGAL! There is no question of what they do, how they do it, or why they came. Immigrate legally or get deported.
You are either LEGAL or ILLEGAL…. there is no interpretation, assumption, or circumstance that changes that.
Not Blind
August 29th, 2011
12:12 pm
For Georgia we can keep arresting them and turning them over to the feds even if the feds turn them loose over and over. Arresting them and incarcerating them for a few days is a severe interruption of their lives and hopefully they will go to some other state. Some will say this is harrassment but it’s no different than arresting any other criminal. We are at war with mexico, some people just can’t see the reality OR they are trying to facilitate this invasion.
Immigration: Obama’s new deportation policy, Rep. Luis Gutierrez briefing – Chicago Sun-Times (blog) | Obama News
August 29th, 2011
12:12 pm
[...] and to warn immigrant …Deportation reviews raise some immigrants' hopesLos Angeles TimesImmigration Dispute Has Constitutional UndertonesAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Obama cheered by illegal alien advocates, but they want [...]
MrLiberty
August 29th, 2011
12:13 pm
Free food atamps, free public schools, free medical care, free housing, free…..That’s what america has become, for legals and illegals alike. The truth is that as long as these freebies are on the table for anyone to take, plenty will show up for the spoils – legals and illegals alike.
Nobody really wants to deal with the socialist welfare state we have in this country. Nobody really wants to deal with the fact that the problem is the policy, not the illegals. There is nothing in the constitution that allows all of these entitlement programs. End the programs and the only folks who will come to america will be those wanting to enhance their circumstance through hard work.rather than welfare. Further, the end of these horrible programs would so enhance the economy that the presence of additional labor will be welcomed, rather than rejected. The added benefit of destroying the welfare dependency culture that now plagues our country cannot be overemphasized.
Those in need of true charity would receive it. Today every american knows that the government takes and takes and gives away to far more than deserve it and this situation is destroying traditional charitable giving and attitudes.
Yes, we need to make some changes in the way we just give away citizenship and voting rights, but we need to first change the way we just give away everything to both citizens and non-citizens alike. The parasites are killing the host.
bookman parrot
August 29th, 2011
12:18 pm
why stop there. just let everyone in, no questions asked; because that is the American way, in lib land. everyone is good and of course there is that “we can easily bs them into voting lib”.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
12:21 pm
Every time a debate on illegal immigration crops up, you always hear about immigrant rights. What rights?
An illegal immigrant gave up any reasonable expectation of rights guaranteed by OUR constitution when they decided to circumvent immigration law. Therefore I see no reason to grant these rights to someone who CHOSE not to become a citizen.
If anyone here can argue this fact logically please do.
Anti Stupid
August 29th, 2011
12:23 pm
We have millions of illegal immigrants in this country. Unfortunely our demand for cheap labor and products brought them here. Simple supply and demand. Just like drugs come into this country because we demand it.
It doesn’t make sense to deport them all logistically, we should give them a path to legalization. Lets really secure our borders this time to prevent this from happening again.
It’s hard for me to support most of your racist agendas. I can feel the hatred in your tone and luckily most people don’t think like you. As you slowly age and die with those feelings this country will become a better place.
GodBlessAmerica
August 29th, 2011
12:34 pm
DawgDad!!!!! Pretty obvious you could well with few more “english & history classes”…….why not take up the challenge? We are living in year 2011 “draconian laws” and “dictators” are emancipating all over the world.Anyway, I will be praying a special prayer for you asking GOD to open your eyes, and give you wisdom, love & understanding.Take away your stony heart and give you a heart of flesh to walk in HIS love. So, one day, you too may testify of HIS goodness and new mercies forever and ever. God Bless you DawgDad.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
12:35 pm
@anti stupid
If you read any of my previous posts you would see, I agree with you to a point. Any person wanting to legally immigrate here should be met with open arms.
Conversely, if you choose to not become a legal citizen, and get caught here, you are BREAKING THE LAW, and why GIVE legal status to someone CHOSE not to take it?
The consequence of being deported is a result of the choice they made in staying here illegally, not because i hate them.
We are a country of laws, all I expect is that they be enforced, and abided by.
THATS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
LaTasheanne
August 29th, 2011
12:57 pm
“Congressional inaction often opens the door for presidents do what they want,…”
Bingo. These go-along-to-get-along Congressional geldings stood by when Presidents unilaterally started wars. Now they’ve ceded so much authority that they’re almost irrelevant.
reusha2000
August 29th, 2011
1:08 pm
Doc, They will leave !!
We need to remove the liberal hearts like yourself , right along with them!!
Joe suggs
August 29th, 2011
1:16 pm
Hey Doc : they pay little or no taxes ! Give them amnesty along with earned income credit , food stamps,welfare, public housing. How many millions do you want in this country illegally ? Let them live with you !!!!!!!!
ricardus
August 29th, 2011
1:26 pm
“Doc” – I would agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong. An illegal is an illegal. They are here illegally. They should have been deported years ago. Now it must be done.
Richard D
August 29th, 2011
1:28 pm
Hey, Kem, the word you are looking for is “break.” Braking is what you do in your car to slow down, breaking is what illegal immigrants are doing to the law. Just a tip.
Oh, and on the issue at hand: Deport them. In the mean time, you can make them pay taxes by going to a consumption tax (i.e. the Fair Tax). I’m all for legal immigration, after all, we are all immigrants of some form or another, but giving amnesty to the illegals is spitting in the face of those who came here legally, went to the naturalization process and earned their citizenship. If you support this move by Obama, then you need to reevalutate your understanding of the word “fair.”
reusha2000
August 29th, 2011
1:40 pm
Send a Free Fax To Your Representative In Washington For E verify !!
http://www.numbersusa.com
The two faces of Obama on immigration – The Guardian (blog) | Sick Sick Sick
August 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
[...] by illegal alien advocates, but they want moreExaminer.comNot spelled outNews & ObserverAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -American Spectator -Tbo.comall 62 news articles » Aliens – [...]
dohraba
August 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
The new policy does NOT grant anyone “legal status.” It only prioritizes certain cases and would close other cases. The cases that are closed don’t receive any status; if they were undocumented before, they still are, they won’t become “legal” and would not be on a path to citizenship. It’s one thing to disagree, it’s another to mislead and distort facts.
hsn
August 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
reusha2000 -
NumbersUSA is a nothing but a political wing of the John Tanton network operating as an “innocent grassroots” organization for immigration. Don’t be fooled. You can send all the faxes you want to, but YOU WILL NEVER GET enough votes to make it into law. Even if for some strange reason, you had the votes, there’s something called the veto power from the Executive branch.
There is a sane way to resolve this debacle which has worsened over several years. It REQUIRES both houses of Congress working TOGETHER to achieve a REALISTIC permanent solution. But there are a particular group of “bat shit brains” in Congress who want the other side to GIVE UP 100% of what they want in order for them to win 100%. That will not happen in a divided Congress. Every single solution the opposing side presents, they shout “AMNESTY, AMNESTY” and kill the debate.
They are not willing to compromise on even 1% of their principles to get a solution. BUT they exepct the other side to COMPROMISE. It ain’t gonna happen. Remember, the Republicans ARE STILL A MINORITY in CONGRESS.
hsn
August 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
reusha2000 -
NumbersUSA is a nothing but a political wing of the John Tanton network operating as an “innocent grassroots” organization for immigration. Don’t be fooled. You can send all the faxes you want to, but YOU WILL NEVER GET enough votes to make it into law. Even if for some strange reason, you had the votes, there’s something called the veto power from the Executive branch.
There is a sane way to resolve this debacle which has worsened over several years. It REQUIRES both houses of Congress working TOGETHER to achieve a REALISTIC permanent solution. But there are a particular group of “bat$hit brains” in Congress who want the other side to GIVE UP 100% of what they want in order for them to win 100%. That will not happen in a divided Congress. Every single solution the opposing side presents, they shout “AMNESTY, AMNESTY” and kill the debate.
They are not willing to compromise on even 1% of their principles to get a solution. BUT they exepct the other side to COMPROMISE. It ain’t gonna happen. Remember, the Republicans ARE STILL A MINORITY in CONGRESS.
GodBlessAmerica
August 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
Oh Chet!!!!!!!!! I am dismayed of your legal definitions of “illegal/legal immigrants”. Are you an immigration attorney? Are you aware of all the legal ramifications as it pertains to “legal/illegal immigration”? Are you aware of the “complexities of our immigration laws? Have you ever heard of “Human Rights”? Have you ever heard of “Due Process:”? Have you ever heard of a M.o.U. or a concordat as a matter of law”? Have you carefully examine the history of immigration in the U.S.A., demography, effects of immigration, public opinions, legal issues, immigration cultures, interpretive perspectives, and the economic impact? As soon as you do I am prepare to participate in a comprehensive debate. With thanks.
GodBlessAmerica
August 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Dohoraba thanks for the clarity ……..well said……. thanks again.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
@dohraba
Therein lies the problem……. there should be no prioritization of any sort, no case to review, If you are here “ILLEGALLY” you should be deported. End of story.
Illegal status means, by definition you are breaking immigration law, and should be deported.
If you do not want to be deported, become a citizen!
Obama nor any other citizen in this country regardless of how they feel about immigrants, have the right to choose which people breaking the laws of this country deserve a “special consideration”.
THE LAWS ARE IN PLACE, “ILLEGAL” immigrants chose to ignore or avoid them…..
and now our president has decided to do the same.
Regardless of how i feel personally, the decision and the actions being taken are unconstitutional, and against the law. Again, in case you missed it, NOT a personal opinion, this is what the law says.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
@godblessamerica
Have you ever heard of stopping at the immigration office on your way in the country?
Ease of access is not my concern…. your argument for circumnavigation of the law is “its hard to do”?
Again I am not arguing that the policy is right or wrong, only that its in place and being ignored. I absolutely believe it should be changed…… but not avoided or ignored.
GodBlessAmerica
August 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
@ Mr Chet ……….Have you ever heard of “Deferred Status”? If you do, can you please elaborate?Thanks in advance.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
@godblessamerica
I am, and TPS as well as DED requirements are established, my argument is not with the policy that is in effect, only that the Obama administration has no constitutional right to apply his own requirements to said cases.
Metcalfe: Obama “Treasonous” on Immigration – PoliticsPA | Sick Sick Sick
August 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
[...] two faces of Obama on immigrationThe Guardian (blog)News & Observer -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -American Spectatorall 63 news articles » Aliens – Google [...]
Dave Francis
August 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Of course the open border zealots, the Catholic Church, religious faith groups, business lobbyists and others, want to disrupt the “Secure Communities and E-Verify policies, as this epidemic called illegal immigration cannot skirt around these enforcement innovations. If you contravene the law and get caught; your fingerprints are run through the FBI, ICE and Homeland Security data bases. Once you’re detained the state and local police obtain your prints and then if verified, ICE agents arrive to put a hold on you. As far as the majority of American citizens and residents, you’re a criminal when you entered this sovereign land of the United States; this is whether you dodged the border patrol or over stayed your welcome on a visitor’s visa. Your illegal, and should you be caught in the laws net, you should be arrested and consequently deported.
For the people who live in this nation lawfully, the question to ask is why is this civil offense and not a FELONY? Obviously this was intentional to mislead the naive general public. A subterfuge to reflect for thirty years, our laws were being enforced? Now we have to deal with 20 million plus foreigners without documentation, and although this has been a clever game played by every administration, the NEW TEA PARTY will enforce the 1986 Immigration laws. Then every politician, governor, mayor, judge, police chief will be evicted from office, which are favorable the economical nightmare caused by this illegal alien occupation.
The TEA PARTY (selected leaders) is the only politicians who will fully enforce the 1986 Simpson/Mazzoli bill. The Great state of Georgia, Alabama, Arizona and some to a lesser degree are using the power of their Legislative policing laws. These states are trying to stop the erosion of the financial safety-net, which illegal aliens are stealing from the old, sick and people mental disorders. The federal government has for years forcing unfunded mandates on States that can no longer afford the intrusion of our country by economic illegal aliens. The $113 billion dollars a year that is the amount paid out to these unwelcome foreign squatters should be paid out to supplement our Senior citizens, education of US citizen-resident education, health care and poverty programs. Not to appease illegal aliens with their large families, smuggled through borders.
The U.S. House of Representatives has to act immediately when it returns in September to send the world a reason to follow the law. The courageous and most authoritative signal it can launch, is to pass a nationwide mandatory E-Verify bill that not only stops illegal aliens from getting jobs, but forces business owners to fire the illegal aliens already working for them.
Rep. Smith said that President is trying to placate ethnic groups for not trying to move an amnesty bill through Congress, when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress. He was deporting thousands of unlawful foreigners, and then changed his mind under the pressure of activists. Now Obama believes in a giant, centralized administration and that is what he perceives; whether or not Congress goes along–and whether or not the American people go along. ..? That’s all very well, if you don’t live in a democracy. It’s not agreeable in the United States of America, where he has taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the “Rule of law” and not just to single out and select which laws to enforce. He needs, as president of the United States, to make sure all laws are faithfully executed and that is really bothersome.”
Rep. Smith said Congress has two options to stop the new policy. It can hold oversight hearings or defund the agencies, but he said the best clarification is to elect a president that won’t provide amnesty through executive actions, again the People’s wishes.
If you want to see your taxation forever rising, then you can sit in your chair and do nothing. Just watch your country as politicians accommodate millions of poor from other countries, subsidized by your money.
The TEA PARTY has become a colossal grassroots movement of tens of millions of moderate Americans from all racial and religious backgrounds, political parties, no matter what the undesirable advocacy groups say? The TEA PARTY members share the focused values of restricted government, individual freedoms, personal responsibility, “fair” free markets and above all else returning control to the States and the people. For decades we have had a corrupt Taxation system, that must be rescinded and a flat tax imposed.
Rep. Lama Smith said that Pres. Obama is trying to make up for not trying to move an amnesty
The tax system was constructed by Attorney-legislators, who have built into the code, incentives, and subsidies and with 57 percent of the American people paying nothing. We need a tax code so everybody pays something, to save our country from bankruptcy. The TEA PARTY is about reforming all political parties and the control, so the key ideology of our Constitution, once again is the true foundation of which this nation is built. The TEA PARTY will have a zero -leniency policy on any kind of Amnesty, Sanctuary cities and States, Dream Acts or anything that supports further incursions of this affliction. The TEA PARTY is the ordinary people of these United States and is ready to expose the corruption in Washington and individual State.
Your vote counts and millions have joined the TEA American people of their taxes.
The Obama stimulus gave billions to banks, foreign and domestic with the assurance they would lend to small businesses which are the backbone of America and the job producers. Instead the banks invested the taxpayer’s money in money market accounts. None of these positive solutions happened and twenty million Americans are out of a full time job, while 8 million illegal aliens have been hired. Call your Senator or Congress person and complain, as you are the voter and have the power to throw them out of office. In this crushing recession we must ensnare every economic illegal alien and remove them forthwith.
ATTN: Illegal aliens do vote and it’s up to the American people to bring this to the attention of their state lawmakers. Discover more about Voter Fraud, by typing these words into Google. Also find out where your dollars are going, when they are pandered to illegal aliens by the federal government and the 50 states. NumbersUSA, Federation of American Immigration Reform. Learn the lies on immigration, along with a listing of 2008 Most Corrupted Politicians at Judicial Watch.
MY EARLIER BLOGS: http://brittanicus-enoughisenough.blogspot.com/
No Copyright. Distribute Freely.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
@godblessamerica
I’m sorry, I didn’t fully answer your question. Yes I do know that the president has discretion, within the guidelines set by Congress.
Again my argument is that Obama can not, at a time of his choosing, decide to review and apply his own set of guidelines to the process. Not without congressional approval.
M.L
August 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
It’s funny how these white people were not complaining about these (illegal’s) before the GOP screwed up this economy. They were hiring them to work at construction sites, do landscaping and even work in factories illegally.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
3:26 pm
@M.L
I’m pretty sure the GOP is not singularly responsible for the out of control government spending, the huge war budgets, or for that matter the immigration policy that is what we are discussing here.
Democrats, Republicans, Congress, and the President, are all to blame. No one party put us here, no one party can get us out.
As for the racial comments, NAACP has a website for that kind of thing. It has no bearing on the article written here, or the discussion.
hsn
August 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Chet said, “.. Yes I do know that the president has discretion, within the guidelines set by Congress. Again my argument is that Obama can not, at a time of his choosing, decide to review and apply his own set of guidelines to the process. Not without congressional approval.”
==========================================
I hope along the same line of reasoning, you would also agree that the States (e.g AZ, GA, e.t.c) cannot also pass their own so-called “immigration enforcement” laws without Congressional approval either.
TZAZ
August 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
What I can’t figure out is why people want to to come to the US, legally or otherwise. This place sucks.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
@hsn
Actually states have limited legislative power pertaining to immigration, but for conflicts between state and federal policy, the Supreme Court has final say.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
3:41 pm
@hsn
For example….. If the state of Arizona wanted to bring charges against an alien, as per their policy and not federal, it would be decided by the Supreme Court.
Filter
August 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
Vickie,
Newsflash…..you don’t speak for the American people. No one does, so to say that Obama is “not listening to the citizens” is nonsense. He may not be listening to YOU but according to a poll on (and this is too priceless) FOX NEWS at least half of America does believe that a path to amnesty is the right thing to do.
So speak for yourself but stop pretending everyone thinks like you.
Below is an excerpt and link.
Immigration
Views on how to handle illegal immigrants show little change. Half of Americans (50 percent) favor setting up a system for illegal immigrants to become legal residents — slightly more than the 43 percent who favor deporting as many as possible. These results are almost identical to findings from a June 2007 poll when 51 percent favored setting up a system to help illegals become legal and 39 percent favored deportation.
A 66 percent majority of Democrats favor creating a system for illegal immigrants to become legal, while a 60 percent majority Republicans favor deporting as many as possible.
http://blog.chron.com/immigration/2009/05/fox-news-poll-50-of-americans-support-amnesty/
T.L. Winslow (@historyscoper)
August 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
The US-Mexico problem has been festering for 200 years, so no wonder it’s causing the Constitution to groan under the boiler pressure. It’s all so avoidable if the Congress would unite behind the Megamerge Dissolution Solution of working step by step to incorporate Mexico peacefully into the U.S. so we can all finally share the New World and become a stronger meganation.
Learn more:
http://megamergedissolutionsolution.blogspot.com/
Never trust a guy with 2 first names
August 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
Dave Francis,
If you want to be a blogger, go for it. But if you want to be taken seriously then try and learn the basic rules of grammar first. Subject-verb agreement specifically.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
3:56 pm
@filter
Once again, you miss the point…. it doesn’t matter if 99 percent of the country feels that way.
If they feel that way they will elect a Congress that will change the policy. The office of the President of the United States of America DOES NOT have constitutional power to change said policy.
Checks and balances, it is the keystone of our governmental process. And in changing immigration policy without approval, The Obama administration has overstepped its legal bounds.
I’m not arguing my opinion here, this is fact.
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
3:57 pm
Doc
August 29th, 2011
5:19 am
You an idiot!
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Anti Stupid
August 29th, 2011
12:23 pm
You are stupid!
hsn
August 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
@ Chet: For example….. If the state of Arizona wanted to bring charges against an alien, as per their policy and not federal, it would be decided by the Supreme Court.
===========================================
Yeah, again, along the same line of reasoning, go ahead and sue the Obama administration on this policy, and let the Supreme court decide. See how it works?
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Filter
August 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
If you are going to chastise someone bring a complete understanding of your statistics. The so called percentages you spoke of was that the H2A, H2B, and H2C programs be used to facilitate entry into the United Sates. Those are working programs…just to finish your statistics.
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
Everything Obama did as presidential or executive orders are temporary. The next commander in chief can void them out. We just need a different and an American leader.
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Chet
August 29th, 2011
3:56 pm
You are correct!
Ezra
August 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
Obama is losing face with the nation and now has resorted to liberal partisan executive orders to appeas the left and seek out new voters. He may do this for a while but what gets my hair raising is he thinks i am too stupid to see what he is doing. I am not stupid but I am blind when it comes to seeing his name on the ballot.
Chet
August 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
@hsn
Ahhhhh finally the right question. The problem is Supreme Court has no say over the president, he appoints them. Congress is responsible for that, and that is the big problem. Congress will not, and has not reformed policy themselves, nor will they use their power over the president to stop his unconstitutional change of the same policy.
So in effect what you have is another example of our government proving not only their noncommittal approach to the hard core issues that face our country, but also its total lack of constitutional procedure.
Whats so sad about this is that it isn’t only this issue, it is almost totally across the board. Every facet of our government is mired with problems just like this.
Until the american people change the people and the policies they elect, the state of our union will remain the same.
Eye on the Border: August 29, 2011 | The Federal Observer
August 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
[...] permitted to stay in the United States; including many illegals currently enrolled in schools. (Read Full Story) Campaign 2012: Where do Republican Candidates Stand on Illegal Immigration? STAND??? They are [...]
illegals
August 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
let’s say that I know someone who hires spanish speakers without checking their backgrounds. and pays them cash for hours worked. no bennies, no taxes withheld. no social security contributions.
the folks that take these jobs are dependable, christian, hard working family types for the most part. many of them are caring for their folks in another country. they don’t dare speak up or speak out, or they’ll be replaced.
The alternative is hiring “locals” with a georgia education. These locals can’t add or spell. they are on drugs, sell drugs, or aspire to do both/either. they expect the world to kiss their butts and don’t follow direction. they are undependable, and have no sense of customer service. they are in love with their tattoos and cannot be trusted to take out the trash. one half of them are felons and thieves, the other half give away food and drinks to their buddies.
who would you rather hire for YOUR business? give these christian, family-minded capitalists some amnesty so that local businesses can prosper
hsn
August 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
@ Chet:
If you sue the administration on a federal policy, Federal courts decide, but appeals could force the case to be eventually decided by the Supreme Court (as it appears the Health Care Law is going to go).
That process has absolutely no bearing on whether the President appointed the Supreme Court justices or not. Separation of Powers still applies.
Now back to the States and Immigration. Immmigration is a Federal Policy, not a State one. My point was that Arizona had NO BUSINESS passing HB1070 because it is a direct subversion of the US Constitution. Ever heard of the Supremacy Clause? You can’t say the Obama administration overstepped its bounds on this, but give Arizona a pass on passing SB1070. Got it?