Should We Oppose Obama’s Immigration Executive Order? Essay Example

The topic of immigration is an emotive topic within the United States and in around the world. There are currently over 12 million to close to 25 million illegal immigrants in the United States. The United States immigration policy has continually changed over the course of history in which reflects the attitudes and needs of the political system and society. The debate over immigration is a contentious battle in which is mired in political propaganda, social and economic factors, personal options, and questions on the future. On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced his new immigration policy. This immigration Executive Order will include about 4.3 million more unauthorized immigrants in the US for a temporary time. Immigrants will be eligible to apply for two years of relief from deportation and work permits. In addition, the plan will expend expand legal immigration of skilled workers, which could result in 150,000 to 200,000 new workers moving to the US. While it does not grant amnesty, as many would believe, it provides a temporary reprieve from deportation and allows for people to apply for corrected immigration status.

Whether someone is an advocate or those that oppose immigration is a serious problem with a severe need to implement a policy in which helps to regulate the issue. Immigration policies are used in monitoring and mitigating the challenges of immigrants crossing borders, as well as the longevity of the stay, who enters, and when they need to leave. The purpose of these laws, serve to secure the borders acting as a gatekeeper, in which can affect the United States, socially, economically, and environmentally. So far, Republicans are using different way to stop this reform. The congress may also not pass the order if the President cannot credibly remove his threat of an executive action. In addition, some people point out that President’s executive action should be amenable to the Constitution.It could be construed that the Immigration Executive Order from Obama can be possibility unconstitutional. The Executive Order only applies to certain people, which includes children born to an illegal immigrant, the parents of the child, and DREAMers, in which they all have to be in good standing with the law.

In looking at the Immigration Executive Order, there are two sides to the debate. The one side is those that agree with what the president is currently doing. The executive order grants up to 5 million of the illegal immigrants living in the United States the ability to apply for a program, which grants them protection from deportation. Additionally it allows those that have no prior criminal records to be able to legally work in the US. Allowing to legalize the status of illegal immigrants, can also potentially give the Democratic Party more support in elections, and in other avenues. During the 2012 Presidential Election, Latino voters gave the President 71 percent of the vote will likely give the Democrats support during the next election. (Hajnal 1) This is due to the premise that children of immigrants can remember what the President, and the Democratic Party, and throw their support behind the presidential candidate. Additional reasons in which people would support the executive order is that Asian immigrants will also be granted legalization, which will also increase voter participation for the Democratic Party. Even aside of thinking that granting illegal immigration, the Executive Order will also increase border security along the U.S and Mexican borders. Which according to research, the President has so far had the most deportations than any other presidency. (Pew Research, 2014)  Those that don’t oppose the Executive Order have reason not to as it puts more skilled workers in the economy, grants illegal immigrants visas to better themselves, but also allow for children of immigrants that are in college to continue their education, in order to stay in the United States and benefit the US, or go elsewhere to benefit.

The opposition, however, is largely headed by the Republican Party, but also others that do not fall into a political affiliation. Several polls indicated that many Americans, majority white, view illegal immigration as a problem that is serious. As no coincidence, 75 percent of Americans that felt immigration was a problem and should be deported voted Republican. (Hajnal 1) Overwhelmingly, only 38 percent of white voters voted for Democrats in the midterm elections, with most with a college degree siding with Republicans. (Hajnal 1) Even race aside, there are many reasons that people would oppose the Executive Order. They believe that what the President has executed is wrong. Those that oppose the Executive Order believed that the President has acted outside of the Constitution in implementing the order. According to Senator Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, “it is plain that President Obama has no authority to grant lawful status to those declared unlawful by the duly passed laws of the United States.” Additionally he felt, “nor does the President have any authority to declare such individuals eligible to receive health benefits that have been restricted to lawful residents.” He like many Republicans vehemently opposed given benefits to illegal immigrants. Many states have banded together to sue the President, as they believe that the president has exceeded his provisions of the balance of power, granted in the U.S Constitution. (Tribune)

Many believe that the President’s actions are trying to challenge the U.S laws; this is because they are worried about illegal immigrants having access to social welfare benefits. Others believe that children of illegal immigrants be barred from schools and, from working at jobs as well. The attitude towards illegal immigrants has shifted when comes towards crime, school, and jobs. The social benefits that many of the illegal immigrants would be additionally eligible for, could place a greater strain on the resources that have been allotted for low-income individuals. Ordinary citizens that are not concerned with political problems are more worried about having secure borders and the threat of illegal immigrant, who many are not aware of the criminal status, believe that many traffic or transport violent crimes across borders. Overall, those that oppose the order are concerned for the overall being of the country.

In conclusion, based on the information presented about teach sides of the executive order, there are many that for the Executive Order, and those that oppose the Executive Order. Those that are for the Executive Order believe that what the President is doing is within he legal powers as outlined by the United States Constitution. There are many examples of previous presidents that have used Executive Orders, and President Obama is just doing his job. People that are for the President do believe by granting illegal immigrants, that include Latinos, Asians, as well as other nationalities will be able to contribute to the economy by being able to work legally, and by continuing their education. The President and the White House believe that they are doing what is necessary in providing immigrants with the opportunities to better their opportunities. For those that oppose it includes largely being a part of the Republican Party, as well as those that feel that the President is overstepping his boundaries that were outlined, as well as acting out side of his role, bypassing Congress to passing the Executive Order. Others that are not affiliated with the Republican Party largely believe that illegal immigrants traffic in violence. Overall, they want safer borders, and feel that granting some type of status will not provide that. So overall, should we oppose? No, the government was either not going to deport, or not address the growing situation, of illegal immigration. Therefore, it did not matter in the long run to oppose the President’s Immigration Executive Order.

Works Cited

“17 States Sue Obama For Executive Order on Immigration: Texas Attorney General. Chicago Tribune. 2013. Web. 5 December 2014. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-texas-sues-obama-immigration-20141203-story.html#page=1

Hajnal, Zoltan L. “The Democrats’ Immigration Problem. The New York Times. 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 5 December 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/opinion/the-democrats-immigration-problem.html?_r=0

Lopez, Mark Hugo, Gonzalez-Barrera, Ana. “High Rate of Deportations Continue Under Obama Despite Latino Disapproval. Pew Research. 19 Sep. 2013. Web. 5 December 2014. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/19/high-rate-of-deportations-continue-under-obama-despite-latino-disapproval/