Obama picks November elections over people’s lives in latest non-move
MIAMI – Barack Obama promised action on the issue of immigration when he first ran for president back in 2008. Once elected it would be one of the first things he would tackle. This morning (Saturday Sept. 6), more than six years later, The Washington Post is reporting that the president “will not announce any plans to take executive action to change immigration policy until after the November elections.”
The newspaper’s report qualifies his decision not to make the humanitarian move many around the country were counting on because the president was “bowing to political concerns.”
The fact is that this latest sleight of hand by President Obama does not surprise many who have followed the president closely since those days he spoke of so much ‘hope.’ It was expected: Immigrant groups from every corner of the country, at least those who have not bowed to political pressure (translation: money), did not hold much hope from a president they consider weak-kneed went facing important decisions and one now known as the ‘Deporter in Chief.’
A backlash in the Hispanic community, who many credit for being a reason for the president’s reelection in 2012, may be forthcoming in November. Before the president’s decision had been announced advocacy leader were already reacting. Lorella Praeli, director of Advocacy & Policy for United We Dream, stated, “Our families need leadership. But where we have demanded leadership and courage, we’ve received false hope and a lack of political backbone.” And Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro, vice president for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), added, “We are deeply disappointed to hear that some may be advocating for a delay.”
Here’s part of the The Washington Post article announcing the President’s decision:
“The decision comes just a few days after Obama hinted that he might delay a decision as he continues to call on Congress to take steps to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws.
“Senate Democrats have warned that any bold executive action ran the risk of upending the chances of several Democratic incumbents running for reelection in southern states, where Obama is unpopular and the issue of immigration reform isn’t as urgent.
“But the decision is likely to also infuriate many Democrats who have said Obama taking executive action before the elections could embolden Democratic base voters to turn out in key elections. And it definitely will infuriate members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who have been pressuring Obama to take action since he took office in 2009.
“In a statement Saturday, Mary Kay Henry, head of Service Employees International Union, one of several labor unions pushing for changes, said her members are “deeply disheartened that the dreams of hard-working immigrant families who have long contributed to the fabric of the American life remain in jeopardy. The White House’s decision to delay executive action forces countless families to continue to wait in the shadows of fear.”
