Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Quiz: Only President to Reduce Illegal (Unauthorized) Immigration Since 1990?

Today, the Supreme Court announced that it will review President Obama’s controversial “Deferred Action” program. More on that in a moment. Look at this chart, from the Pew Research Center:
Illegal immigration rose steadily from 3.5 million in 1990—when George Bush was president—through 2007, when George W. Bush’s second term ended. Presidents have little effect on immigration. The driver: the economy. When the economy tanked as Bush II left office and Obama entered, this had a major effect on curbing immigration. Since Obama has taken office, nearly 1 million illegal immigrants have left the U.S. No other president can make this claim.

But that gives Obama too much credit (or blame)—again, it’s the economy; it’s hostility in states such as Arizona and Texas; and it’s an improving economy in Mexico.

Obama has considerable executive authority over immigration policy because the USCIS, and Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State are under his power. Obama makes the argument, in his executive action, that Congress has not passed a sufficient budget to deport everyone. His focus is on deporting criminals—and his administration has deported more per month than Bush II. Texas and 25 other states disagree. They say he has exceeded his constitutional authority, and also usurped their powers. 

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