News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 6, 2014: Dear Mr. President,
It is very disappointing that you have chosen to cave to House Republicans yet again by choosing to delay the release of the results of the review of your administration’s deportation policies and the Pentagon’s plan that would have allowed certain young unauthorized immigrants who grew up in the United States to enlist in the military.
The move shows lack of sound leadership and proves that yet again you are willing to knife your most ardent supporters in the back and play political football as you have done since 2008 with immigration reform and the lives of millions of immigrants in desperate need of some reform.
The reality is Mr. President; House Republicans are never going to move on comprehensive immigration reform under your administration. They have made that very clear even as you have given and given and in the process, nearly alienated your base.
You have given so much to Republicans that now your legacy will also be ‘Deporter in Chief,’ as in your quest to show you are upholding the laws, you have now deported more immigrants out of this country than any U.S. President, including the Republican ones. Even veterans have been kicked out by your administration after putting their lives on the line.
Now Democrats too are appalled with your inconsistent leadership. Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, this week joined several colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, to point out that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been sent to courthouses to question people suspected of lacking legal status.
This suspicion, she said, is typically based on the person’s ethnicity or their preference for a language other than English.
Such action is deplorable and creates more fear even as it tells your base you simply do not care. At the end of the day, if you refuse to let some executive actions be taken within the confines of the laws, it is the Democrats who will pay the price this fall.
No immigrant voters will not give their votes to the GOP but out of frustration, may simply stay at home since they lack the motivation to go out and vote. Vote for what? More backstabbing and lip service?
The New York Times editorial board called the delay “ridiculous” and “infuriating.”
It is time to quit giving the House GOP space to move on reform and act within the power of the constitution and the laws. Let the results of the review of the U.S. Customs and Enforcement deportation policies be released now.
And let Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s “initial action to allow for the enlistment” of young undocumented immigrants stand. No need to be weak now. You are a lion. Roar into action not malarkey.
Respectfully,
Felicia Persaud.
The writer is CMO of Hard Beat Communications, which owns the brands News Americas Now, CaribPR Wire and Invest Caribbean Now.
