Sunday, September 17, 2017

My view on DACA -- by Shonda Ponder

by Shonda Ponder

According to Wikipedia,

The DREAM Act bill, which would have provided a pathway to permanent residency for unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States upon meeting certain qualifications, was considered by Congress in 2007. It failed to overcome a bipartisan filibuster in the Senate. It was considered again in 2011. The bill passed the House, but did not get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster in the Senate.In 2013, legislation that would have comprehensively reformed the immigration system, including allowing Dreamers permission to stay in the country, work and attend school, passed the Senate but was not brought up for a vote in the House. The New York Times credits the failure of Congress to pass the DREAM Act bill as the driver behind Obama's decision to sign DACA.

On June 15, 2012, President Barack Hussein Obama announced his decision to sign an Executive Order that allowed these children of illegal immigrants to escape deportation and obtain work permits for a period of two years, which could be renewed if they behaved. Limitations were applied to the bill. Those who enrolled

  • had to be younger than 31 on June 15, 2012
  • must have come to the U.S. when they were younger than 16
  • and must have lived in the U.S. since at least 2007.

    All of this was because Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act.

    As a staunch conservative, it is my observation that Executive Orders, which is an executive power given to the President, have been used in the past to address a present and very great need at the time. When the executive order is no longer needed or is seen as doing more harm than good, the next President has the power to rescind it at will through his own executive power.

    Obama's executive order met with criticism from those who were oppressed by illegal immigrants were taking up needed space in the job market, getting public assistance, and not paying taxes. In the year 2012 alone, over 400,000 illegal immigrants were deported.

    This was in the year 2012 ALONE. Let that sink in.

    This is only a portion of the over 11 million illegal immigrants that are still here.

    According to statistics, there are only around 800,000 DREAMERS affected by DACA. These are children who were brought here by illegal immigrants who grew up in an environment they learned well to assimilate in because that is all they know. These children were brought up as Americans. Sending them back to a country that their parents were fleeing from, that they know nothing about, is seen as cruel by those who are for DACA. However, those against DACA argue that their short-sighted parents are to blame for the demise of their own children by their determination to illegally enter and live in and take advantage of what the United States has to offer at the cost of the legal citizens who live here. By any definition, all that amounts to theft of services.

    Obama gave Congress a mandate to pass immigration reform. Congress failed. If our own representatives in Congress cannot work together to enact much needed reform, then the President has the power to act, whether we like it or not. Congress then has the power to override any veto or action by two-thirds of Congress in favor of the override.

    If Congress doesn't like the fact that President Donald Trump has rescinded DACA, then, why have they not voted to override him rather than screaming in the Fake News Media's TV cameras?

    Donald Trump has said the same thing Barack Obama said, Congress needs to pass an immigration bill. After rescinding DACA, Trump gave the Democrats six months to come up with something workable before DACA is enacted. He said, “Chuck and Nancy would like to see something happen, and so do I, and I said if we can get something to happen, we’re gonna sign it, and we’re gonna make a lot of happy people."

    I personally would support DACA on any bill passed by Congress that also includes getting rid of the illegal aliens who are not DACA children -- this includes their parents. Their parents knew what they were doing. These children are of age now to make a decision whether or not to stay or go. If they choose to return to their home country with their parents, then so be it. Our sympathy for them ends there. If they choose to stay, they must also choose not to hate us for enforcing the law that is enacted for all of our long-term benefit, including theirs; and, they must take immediate action to become LEGAL citizens within the proper time allowed, and through the proper channels.

    If the Democrats keep screaming about how evil President Trump is, they are never going to pass such a law, and the DREAMERS then have no one to blame for their demise than the Democrats themselves. It's time to quit talking an start acting, Democrats. DACA needs you.