Rescinding Barack Obama’s unconstitutional DACA diktat — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – the Trump administration will begin revoking some 700,000 work permits in six months.
House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledged Obama’s “clear abuse of executive authority” in imposing DACA, but added unhelpfully, “Now there is more to do.” American citizens should not expect much.
As Ryan duly noted, the status of DACA recipients “is one of many immigration issues, such as border security and interior enforcement, which Congress has failed to adequately address over the years.”
Establishment Republicans are already plotting to skirt Trump’s action and give new life to DACA (a la Obamacare). GOP leadership does not inspire confidence when Ryan rhapsodizes over “a legislative solution that includes ensuring that those who have done nothing wrong can still contribute as a valued part of this great country.”
As for Democrats, if they are truly committed to finding a solution for those brought to the country as minors (many of whom are now in their 20s or 30s), the party of Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders will first need to keep countless unkept promises to deter, prevent and enforce laws against future illegal immigration.
Good luck with that, too.
Unless Democrats are prepared to agree to, and implement, reforms that result in actual enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, Congress should do what it does best: nothing. Allow DACA to lapse without renewals and let the rule of law prevail. It is a fool’s errand to legitimize an illegitimate executive order or to enact a so-called “clean DREAM Act” amnesty that does not address the countless promises made and broken to the American people.
Claims that deportation of DACA recipients will cost $60 billion are pure fear-mongering. Trump’s order doesn’t deport anyone, but it does revoke work permits and other ill-gotten benefits. Jobs currently held by illegal immigrants must go to U.S. citizens.
