What Can President Obama Do Now on Immigration?

Posted on 06/08/2011 @ 10:30 AM

Tags: Immigration

Due to the current political climate, Congress has made no progress on immigration reform. This doesn’t mean, however, that no work can be done. There are certain measures that the Executive Branch can take within existing law to protect the rights and dignity of immigrants living in the United States. Growing momentum in grassroots circles is pushing for President Obama to take every action in his power to alleviate issues immigrant communities face due to Congress' failure to pass immigration reform.

What can he do, anyway?

End the Secure Communities Program.
- Communities are not safer if immigrants do not report crime due to fear of deportation.
- Many local law enforcement professionals and elected officials, including the governors of Illinois and New York, want nothing to do with Secure Communities.
- Designed to catch dangerous felons, the majority of people deported under Secure Communities are noncriminals or minor offenders.
- For more information on how Secure Communities Works, check out this piece by Colorlines.

Stand Firm Against Anti-Immigrant Laws on the State Level
- The Obama Administration sued to stop Arizona’s immigration law, but other states are introducing copycat legislation and other anti-immigrant bills. Find out what's happening in different states.

Grant Deferred Action to DREAM-eligible Students
- We have invested in their education and should allow them to be productive members of the economy instead of deporting them. - Many undocumented young people know only the United States as home.
- Read FCNL’s statement on the DREAM Act. We may not support all provisions of the bill, but we certainly support DREAM Act eligible students.

Put More Pressure on Congress
- Urge members to work on solutions that benefit the economy and uphold immigrants’ rights.
- Push back against making E-Verify a mandatory program.

A recent New York Times editorial discusses other things President Obama can do in the absence of congressional action. The Immigration Policy Center also has many resources exploring the Executive Branch’s capacity within the law to protect immigrants from outdated policies.

What can you do? Write to President Obama, asking him to take every action within his power to stand up for immigrants. Join campaigns like the Let My People Stay campaign with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, and, as always, urge your representatives to take action on immigration reform immediately.