Executive Amnesty Would be Reckless and Irresponsible



Executive Amnesty Would be Reckless and Irresponsible | ImmigrationReform.comThe apparent beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State (IS), less than two weeks after the murder of James Foley, is another shocking and gruesome reminder of the peril faced by the United States and the civilized world. We are facing a dangerous and ruthless enemy that is threatening to take the fight to us.

Not only does President Obama not have a strategy for combatting IS in the Middle East, he apparently lacks one for preventing them from carrying out acts of terror against Americans on U.S. soil. Recent statements by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Gen. Martin Dempsey, indicating that an attack by IS is “beyond anything we’ve seen,” do not appear to have altered the administration’s thinking about immigration or border enforcement.

The president appears to have delayed his plans to announce a sweeping executive amnesty for millions of illegal aliens for political reasons – he believes it would doom many Democrats in the midterm elections – but there is no evidence that he has a strategy to interdict potential terrorists who might slip across our chaotic border, to prevent terrorists with Western passports from marching through our front door, or for rooting out terrorist cells that may already be here waiting to strike.

At a time when the threat to our security is “beyond anything we’ve seen,” the Border Patrol – our first line of defense – is trying to deal with a flood of Central American illegal aliens who are drawn here by the president’s policies.  An executive amnesty – now, or two months from now – would only compound the crisis. Implementing an executive amnesty would require an even more massive diversion of resources and manpower at a time when every available resource should be devoted to protecting the nation.

There is every reason to believe that the threats graphically described by Secretary Hagel and Gen. Dempsey are real. We are faced with a national security emergency that requires the vigorous enforcement of our immigration laws at our border, at our airports, and in the interior of the country. In response, we need meaningful bipartisan action to force the president to set aside his political goals and ensure that the various agencies tasked with enforcing our immigration laws are doing just that.

About Author

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Ira joined the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in 1986 with experience as a journalist, professor of journalism, special assistant to Gov. Richard Lamm (Colorado), and press secretary of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His columns have appeared in National Review, LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and more. He is an experienced TV and radio commentator.

11 Comments

  1. avatar

    The President wants to and is hurting the United States of America from within. It is his plan and the democrats like nancy and harry support him and his destructive plan.

  2. avatar

    Politics and Immigration Law Enforcement

    Are not suppose to be mixed together….law breaking excuses has nothing to do with whether you’re a foreign national in America or not.

  3. avatar

    How many more Americans have to be killed and maimed in terrorist attacks before our government does its job of protecting the American people and securing our borders?

    • avatar

      The Executive order would actually be responsible….what has been irresponsible is the inaction of Congress and the Republicans………….

      • avatar

        How many of his lil darlings do you have in your house? How much have you spent to support his ILLEGAL ALIEN so called children ??

  4. avatar

    Why shouldn’t people be cynical about the motivations behind delaying amnesty? It was announced a few months ago that it would be “at the end of the summer”. But that was when it looked like there would be no backlash from voters. Now that it appears there would be, and all those high and mighty proclamations of “doing what’s right” are revealed to be nothing more than an attempt to woo Latinos without having to pay a price with other voters. Just like the deadlines for the Affordable Care Act were delayed so the full effects might not be seen until after the election. For an administration that always plays it holier than thou, they tend to try to sneak things in through the back door.

    • avatar

      what backlash?…only 30% of the population votes…………..really…..and only two parties……a no brainer…

      • avatar

        ??? If you’re claiming there would be no backlash from voters, then why is executive amnesty being delayed until after the elections when it was supposed to be this summer. Why are Democratic candidates urging him to delay it? Apparently they disagree with you.

        • avatar
          arnlof sweigeir ft on

          Leland if is all always a political game……. The will wait for the right moment…… As the perception of a immigration reform, the republicans are at fault…if they were smarter… they would have already compromise the bill and Kevel the grounds…… But whether or not it will happen…they have burned themselves beyond salvation on this one by being racists and into bigotry……a tough home to get out of….

          • avatar
            arnlof sweigeir ft on

            Besides all terrorists so far have been legal aliens….and us citizens…..AND I do not see the point on. Blaming the president when the whole congress is responsible….