On Thursday, November 20, President Obama addressed the nation about his executive order concerning immigration:
Additionally, the President called upon Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. In response to the executive order, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) stated: “The president has taken actions that he himself has said are those of a ‘king’ or an ‘emperor’ – not an American president. And he’s doing this at a time when Americans want nothing more than both parties to focus on solving the biggest problems in our country, starting with our still-struggling economy.”
The Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also responded, stating: “If President Obama acts in defiance of the people and imposes his will on the country, Congress will act. We’re considering a variety of options. But make no mistake. When the newly elected representatives of the people take their seats, they will act.”
Bills Introduced Related to the President's Executive Order
Weigh in on these bills and we’ll deliver your message to Congress, guaranteed!
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Separation of Powers Act (HR 5768)
“Would prohibit the use of funds for granting deferred action or other immigration relief to aliens not lawfully present in the United States,” according to bill sponsors.
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Executive Amnesty Prevention Act (HR 5759)
“Clarifies that the Executive Branch does not have the authority to exempt categories of persons unlawfully present in the U.S. from removal,” according to the bill sponsor.
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Defense of Legal Workers Act (HR 5761)
“Protects people who are legally authorized to work in the United States by clarifying that illegal immigrants granted amnesty by executive action cannot be issued work permits,” according to bill sponsor.
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HRes 757
Providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States with respect to the implementation of the immigration laws. According to the resolution’s sponsor: "The federal courts are best suited to determine if Obama is exceeding his authority, and, if so, how to reverse it. Under America’s Constitution, we elect presidents, not dictators or tyrants. Under our system of government, legal disputes of this nature are for the courts to decide. My resolution empowers the U.S. House of Representatives to do that.”
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HRes 741
Disapproving of the President's expression of intent to expand amnesty to undocumented immigrants through Executive order after the 2014 congressional midterm elections.
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HRes 742
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that it is unconstitutional for the US President to continue to provide deferred action for childhood arrivals in enforcement of the immigration laws.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Two comprehensive immigration reform bills have been previously introduced in Congress. The Senate passed its bipartisan immigration bill in 2013, but it has not been considered by the House:
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Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S 744):
— Bipartisan — To provide for comprehensive immigration reform. "Provides for border security measures that will achieve and maintain effective control in high risk areas of the Southern border; provides a path to citizenship for the 11.5 undocumented immigrants in the United States; creates a “Track One” merit based visa which will initially allocate 120,000 visas annually based on a points system; mandates E-Verify, provides additional worker protections, reforms the immigration court system and provides additional measures related to interior enforcement," according to bill sponsors. — Passed by the Senate on June 27, 2013; the House version of this bill is HR 15. —
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CIR ASAP Act (HR 3163):
"Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and submit to Congress a National Strategy for Border Security consistent with the progress already made by the Department of Homeland Security and aligned with a vision of effective and accountable enforcement for the 21st century; Requires DHS to meet certain requirements to ensure humane treatment of detainees, ensures adequate medical treatment, requires access to telephones, and increases protections from sexual and other abuse; Creates an employment verification system for employers to verify the work authorization of new hires; creates a legalization program for qualified undocumented immigrants (and their spouses and children)," according to bill sponsors.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
