Overturning Obama’s immigration policy could result in more deportations

Dear Editor

The Republican-dominated House of Representatives passed a Bill on Thursday defying President Obama’s Executive Order to grant protection to illegal immigrants who have not run afoul of American laws.

The President’s directive protects some five million illegal immigrants, including thousands of Guyanese, who came to the US prior to 2012 and have not broken any laws.

They would be required to pay a fee and work legally, although they will not be able to travel overseas. The Executive Order could later on be amended to allow for overseas travel. The Order does not permit a green card or citizenship or grants social benefits or health care, but it is a relief from deportation.

The directive is supported by legal immigrants, but Americans are divided on it, mostly along party lines. Democrats, including likely Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, support it.

Most Republican lawmakers are opposed to the directive. House Republicans accused Obama of taking “reckless unconstitutional actions on immigration”. The President said his action is within the ambit of the law.

Last Thursday, the House voted on partisan lines to overturn the President’s immigration policy. The House Bill would eliminate the new deportation protections including of young immigrants in school. Before the Bill could become law, the Senate will also have to approve it. There it faces an uncertain future although the Republicans control the Senate 56 to 44.

Some Republican lawmakers support a limited amnesty for illegal immigrants. Even if the Bill is approved by both houses, President Obama has promised to veto it. A revote in both houses by two-thirds majority could make the Bill into law. That support is virtually impossible.

Immigrant advocates are upset with the Republicans saying the Bill risks alienating Latino and immigrant voters who will be crucial in deciding the winner of the 2016 Presidential election.

House Speaker John Boehner said the President’s directive is an overreach and an affront to the rule of law and to the Constitution itself. But Democrat Representative Luis Guiterrez, accused Republicans of “viciousness” for trying to make it easier to deport immigrants brought to the US as children.

The Republicans promised to go to court to stop the President’s Executive Order. If the Republicans succeed in their endeavour, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will resume deportation proceedings that could see an increase in deportees to Guyana and other Caribbean territories.

However, Obama’s directive does not protect convicted or accused criminals from being deported.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram