President Obama is intent on getting legislation passed to help illegal immigrants, even if it means more executive action.
Staff Reporter
But with Republicans now fully in the control of Congress, things might be changing when it comes to immigration policy. President Obama has been in favor of passing legislation that would benefit the children of illegal immigrants such as Ana Zamora, who upon turning 1 year-old, was brought by her family as they traveled to Dallas, Texas, as undocumented immigrants. Now, because of President Obama's immigration policy she has had the ability to graduate from college through a policy enacted by the Obama administration in June 2012.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA, for short) grants certain illegal immigrants who came to this country prior to turning sixteen like Ana did, to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation. According to Ana it is because of legislation like this, which President Obama enacted through his Executive action, that she was given this crucial opportunity to better her life and achieve what every child of undocumented citizenship wishes, which is to live the American Dream. That is why, in some circles, children of these undocumented immigrants are even sometimes called “DREAMers”, because they are chasing the American Dream.
Legislation like this will likely find challenges in the near future. With the Republicans making a brutal victory sweep in the midterm elections, things are not looking good for undocumented immigrants. Republicans are so passionate about going against President Obama's immigration policy that they are even taking a hostage. The Department of Homeland Security, which ensures the safety of all U.S. Citizens within the U.S.A. needs funding and Republicans are using the funding bill for Homeland Security as a an excuse to force the President's hand. Either the President can go against his whole immigration policy or the Republicans will cut funding for Homeland Security when it ends in February. Fortunately all this is more for political posturing than anything else. Since the President is in favor of his own immigration policy he will veto anything the Republicans throw at him.
Yet every undocumented citizen and every child of undocumented citizens that is bold enough to use the title of “DREAMer” should be aware of what exactly is in the bill concocted by the Republicans. For example, some parts of DACA could be undone if the Republicans can get their bill passed. Certain actions would still be possible for the children of undocumented immigrants such as being able to apply to the deferred-action program, but their application could possibly not be processed because of the restrictive funding.
All this, of course, is only the beginning. Undocumented immigrants and all those that call themselves “DREAMers” will have to wait and see how the Obama administration handles the newly empowered Republicans and what President Obama will throw back at them.