Barack Obama urges critics to 'pass a bill' on immigration
President Obama on Thursday defended the actions he's taking to shield about 5 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally from deportation as "lawful" and consistent with what his predecessors have done.
"I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of common sense law," the president said. "But until that happens, there are actions I have the legal authority to take as President - the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me - that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just."
"The actions I'm taking are not only lawful, they're the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half century," Mr. Obama added.
The actions he outlined will grant a reprieve from deportation to about 5 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally and allow them to apply for a three-year work permit if they can pass a background check, register with the government, submit biometric data, and establish they are eligible for relief.
During the speech, he argued that his actions are shaped by America's character.
"Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law?" he asked. "Or are we a nation that gives them a chance to make amends, take responsibility, and give their kids a better future?"
According to the president, it also channels more resources to the US border with Mexico and shifts deportation priorities toward expelling felons.
Wasting little time, the president signed two elements of the orders on Friday.
Republicans have heaped scorn on the plan, calling it "executive amnesty," "illegal" and "unconstitutional," bringing tensions between Washington's warring camps to a boil.
Obama said he had "one answer" for critics who allege he overstepped his authority: "Pass a bill. The day I sign it into law, the actions I've taken to help solve this problem will no longer be necessary."
Meanwhile, he defended his reforms, saying "nothing about this action will benefit anyone who has come to this country recently, or who might try and come to America illegally in the future," and noting that it does not offer a path to citizenship.
"It's certainly not amnesty, no matter how often the critics say it," he said.
"Amnesty is the immigration system we have today — millions of people living here without paying their taxes, or playing by the rules."
"I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of common sense law," the president said. "But until that happens, there are actions I have the legal authority to take as President - the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me - that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just."
"The actions I'm taking are not only lawful, they're the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half century," Mr. Obama added.
The actions he outlined will grant a reprieve from deportation to about 5 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally and allow them to apply for a three-year work permit if they can pass a background check, register with the government, submit biometric data, and establish they are eligible for relief.
During the speech, he argued that his actions are shaped by America's character.
"Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law?" he asked. "Or are we a nation that gives them a chance to make amends, take responsibility, and give their kids a better future?"
According to the president, it also channels more resources to the US border with Mexico and shifts deportation priorities toward expelling felons.
Wasting little time, the president signed two elements of the orders on Friday.
Republicans have heaped scorn on the plan, calling it "executive amnesty," "illegal" and "unconstitutional," bringing tensions between Washington's warring camps to a boil.
Obama said he had "one answer" for critics who allege he overstepped his authority: "Pass a bill. The day I sign it into law, the actions I've taken to help solve this problem will no longer be necessary."
Meanwhile, he defended his reforms, saying "nothing about this action will benefit anyone who has come to this country recently, or who might try and come to America illegally in the future," and noting that it does not offer a path to citizenship.
"It's certainly not amnesty, no matter how often the critics say it," he said.
"Amnesty is the immigration system we have today — millions of people living here without paying their taxes, or playing by the rules."
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