September 6, 2017Gronda Morin

aside President Obama’s Response To The Cancelling of DACA

Image result for PHOTOS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNING daca

On September 5, 2017, the LA Times published our former democratic President Barack Obama’s Response to the republican President Donald Trump’s September 5, 2017 decision to cancel DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program), with the caveat of a 6 month’s delay.

Young people protected from deportation and allowed to work legally under the DACA program will begin losing their protection around March 2018 unless the US Congress finally acts to shield them. “

President Obama (White House photo by Pete Souza)Statement from President Obama 

Immigration can be a controversial topic.  We all want safe, secure borders and a dynamic economy, and people of goodwill can have legitimate disagreements about how to fix our immigration system so that everybody plays by the rules.

But that’s not what the action that the White House took today is about.  This is about young people who grew up in America – kids who study in our schools, young adults who are starting careers, patriots who pledge allegiance to our flag.  These Dreamers are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.  They were brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants.  They may not know a country besides ours.  They may not even know a language besides English.  They often have no idea they’re undocumented until they apply for a job, or college, or a driver’s license.

Over the years, politicians of both parties have worked together to write legislation that would have told these young people – our young people – that if your parents brought you here as a child, if you’ve been here a certain number of years, and if you’re willing to go to college or serve in our military, then you’ll get a chance to stay and earn your citizenship.  And for years while I was President, I asked Congress to send me such a bill.

That bill never came.  And because it made no sense to expel talented, driven, patriotic young people from the only country they know solely because of the actions of their parents, my administration acted to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people, so that they could continue to contribute to our communities and our country.  We did so based on the well-established legal principle of prosecutorial discretion, deployed by Democratic and Republican presidents alike, because our immigration enforcement agencies have limited resources, and it makes sense to focus those resources on those who come illegally to this country to do us harm.  Deportations of criminals went up.  Some 800,000 young people stepped forward, met rigorous requirements, and went through background checks.  And America grew stronger as a result.

But today, that shadow has been cast over some of our best and brightest young people once again.  To target these young people is wrong – because they have done nothing wrong.  It is self-defeating – because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love.  And it is cruel.  What if our kid’s science teacher, or our friendly neighbor turns out to be a Dreamer?  Where are we supposed to send her?  To a country she doesn’t know or remember, with a language she may not even speak?

Image result for PHOTOS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNING daca

Let’s be clear: the action taken today isn’t required legally.  It’s a political decision, and a moral question.  Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us.  They are that pitcher on our kid’s softball team, that first responder who helps out his community after a disaster, that cadet in ROTC who wants nothing more than to wear the uniform of the country that gave him a chance.  Kicking them out won’t lower the unemployment rate, or lighten anyone’s taxes, or raise anybody’s wages.

It is precisely because this action is contrary to our spirit, and to common sense, that business leaders, faith leaders, economists, and Americans of all political stripes called on the administration not to do what it did today.  And now that the White House has shifted its responsibility for these young people to Congress, it’s up to Members of Congress to protect these young people and our future.  I’m heartened by those who’ve suggested that they should.  And I join my voice with the majority of Americans who hope they step up and do it with a sense of moral urgency that matches the urgency these young people feel.

Ultimately, this is about basic decency.  This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated.  It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be.

What makes us American is not a question of what we look like, or where our names come from, or the way we pray.  What makes us American is our fidelity to a set of ideals – that all of us are created equal; that all of us deserve the chance to make of our lives what we will; that all of us share an obligation to stand up, speak out, and secure our most cherished values for the next generation.  That’s how America has traveled this far.  That’s how, if we keep at it, we will ultimately reach that more perfect union.

33 comments

  2. excellent post, Gronda. I am taking the liberty of re-posting this on my site, thanks for the “re-blog button.”

    And now it seems Trump is trying to claim that he has done this for the good of the Dreamers. He wants to blame Former President Obama, and Congress, for being the heavy-handed “Meanies.” Not that Congress isn’t a bunch of lily-livered folks that seemingly care only about their own re-election bids. And what’s with sending Attorney General Sessions out yesterday to do the dirty deed? It’s all enough to keep us all awake nights.

    Chicken Little notwithstanding, our sky really IS in danger of falling. Why would Trump do something like this? To impress his base with hints at getting rid of anyone who is not white…playing to the fears that by some time in the near future whites will be in the minority? Get rid of them one way or another. Are the legions of thugs that lie in the wings destined to become order-keepers? bah humbug!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Gradmama2011,

      I doubt if DDT knows why he did what he did. He should be ashamed and being the coward that he is, he punted to AG Jeff Sessions who is so anti-immigration that even I just want to punch him with his smirks. Both are little men in every since of the word.

      The US Congress had better deliver.

      The sky is falling, literally.

      Thanks a million for all of your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

      • I think he set it up so that Sessions talked about the legal and illegal ramifications of DACA, and Sessions came off like a bad guy (which he is, plus a jerk.) Then Trump hints that everything he said and did was aimed at coming across with his big “heart” and save the DACAs. Trump is disgusting, so is Sessions.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Gronda, this action by the White House incumbent runs counter to what we are all about. It is hurtful to these 800,000 contributors to America and harmful to our economy. This is one Trump’s shoulders. I have a post ready for tomorrow based on a letter to the editor I read which has is excellent. Well written post Gronda, Keith

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Keith,

      I look forward to your post. It looks like DDT is feeling the heat. The business community is all over him on this decision and rightfully so.

      Not only is this one on DDT but it also is a black mark on all of DDT’s republican sycophants.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

      • Gronda, I agree, he should take heat on this from the business community and Americans who have a better sense of our country’s ideals. You cannot make American great by saying you are not welcome here. Plus, he has made these kids and their employers very unsettled. Keith

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Strangely, Trump then tweets at the end of the day that in 6 months, if Congress hasn’t acted, he will look at it again. Wait – WHAT!?!?!

    Par for the course – there is a reason you need to understand our system of government before you decide to run for the highest office in the land. What is sad is there are insider stories suggesting strongly he never wanted to be President, thought it was a good money-making opportunity.

    And here we are.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Dear JohnRieber,

    The Donald is an older guy, who wants to watch TV, read his Breibart News and InfoWars, play golf, hang out with friends and family. This job of being president is getting old. For a guy who loves to be loved, he picked the wrong job. But so far, it looks like he is sitting on a great money making opportunity. I bet he regrets his thinking.

    But maybe he was desperate for an influx of cash. We’ll know the truth if we ever get to see his IRS tax returns.

    Hugs, Gronda

    Like

  9. I read this yesterday, but re-read it here, and it touched me just as much today as yesterday. President Obama is such a well-spoken, compassionate and intelligent man … the complete antithesis to the trash in the White House today. Sigh. Thanks for this post, Gronda. I am re-blogging.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jill,

      For all those republicans who denigrated President Obama, how can they ever justify supporting the likes of DDT becoming the US president. One is as decent as they come and the other is deficient in every character description that can be used to describe DDT. Now we know the kind of man, they support.

      Thanks a million for all of your support and for this reblog.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

      • Relative to DDT, President Obama looks much like a saint! His presidency will shine much more favourably in the history books 100 years from now than will DDT’s.

        Hugs!!!

        Like

  12. I cannot add more to the debate than what has been said by President Obama. There have been traces of similar, though not quite as blatant distasteful ,political maneuvers in the UK, and not on the scale proposed in America. Following the announcement, 45 says he ‘loves these people’ !

    I truly hope Congress doesn’t disappoint. My heart is with the DACAS.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Menhir1,

      Welcome!

      We are scratching our heads as to why on earth, President Trump would cancel the DACA program when even over 70% of republicans favor the DACA program. There is that small contingent of his base who are White nationalists/ anti-immigration zealots who favor this cancellation of DACA. THIS IS WHO HE IS CATERING TO WITH THIS UNPOPULAR RULING.

      The US Congress will have to act. The majority of Americans are heart-broken over this.

      Thanks for your best wishes.

      Thanks for stopping by and Hugs, Gronda

      Like

  13. Dear Suzanne,

    What a difference a president makes. President Obama is missed but “we the people” can’t wait until DDT is out of office.

    Thanks a million times over for all of your support and for this reblog.

    Hugs, Gronda

    Like

  14. Great post! I posted an informative blog piece regarding DACA and would love nothing more than for individuals to check it out and like, share, comment. I really hope it is informative and helps those who do not yet understand what DACA really is. Thank you! itaintallitscrackeduptobe.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

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