There are various estimates for the number of people in the country illegally that range from 11 million to 22 million. Since these people live mostly in the shadows, a true count is not possible. That would be the equivalent of deporting every man, woman, and child in a state the size of Ohio.
Our DHS admits the capacity to deport some 400,000 per year. Given the porosity of our borders, that would be like using a bucket to push back the Pacific tide.
The faux compassion of the liberal mindset has long demanded changes in our immigration laws to essentially open our borders and give anyone coming across the rights and benefits of citizens. Congress does not have any sense of urgency to make changes to immigration laws, especially any changes that will grant amnesty or open borders.
Even though Obama stated on numerous occasions that he had no legal authority to unilaterally make changes to the immigration law, on November 21, 2014 he issued two Memoranda that did just that.
As with most legal issues, the devil is in the details. Obama’s action is no exception. But do we know just what those details are?
Obama did address the nation to tell us just what he intended to do. He ordered DHS to not deport certain adults and children meeting a set of qualifications. The order was to take effect 120 days from the date of signing. What he didn’t tell us – at least I didn’t hear – is that he will give these people Social Security numbers! He has also encouraged states to issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. The only thing short of granting full citizenship is not issuing passports and naturalization papers.
Okay, just what are the consequences of this unprecedented amnesty action? For one, now that they will have a legal Social Security number they could be eligible for all the benefits afforded US citizens: Medicare, Social Security benefits, Disability. In addition, think of all the things that require our “universal registration number” (aka Social Security number). They will now qualify for those too.
Now here is the rub: Many of these illegal immigrants have been using forged Social Security numbers for years and paying into the system. Now the IRS wants to issue them a refund of what they paid in! From a system that claims it is going broke, the government will take nearly a billion dollars out to give to people who shouldn’t have been here in the first place and committed a fraud by using false documents, a second crime.
The true logic behind Mr. Obama’s feigned compassion, of course, is votes. That is the lifeblood of every politician. Illegal aliens have voted in every election; that is no revelation. Now, with Social Security numbers and drivers licenses, they can easily pass for citizens at any poll. Who will these new pseudo-citizens vote for? Take a guess!
Recently, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas ordered the government not to proceed with any portion of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, DAPA. The order effectively is a stay of implementation on Obama’s immigration action. By the time you read this, there will undoubtedly be considerable political and legal wrangling and fireworks over that order. I have no crystal ball to tell me where this might go, but it should prove interesting. If it goes to the Supreme Court, would that third branch of the government override the President’s order? What then?
In addition, the US House of Representatives voted to fund DHS, but withhold funds for implementation of Obama’s amnesty order. At this time, the bill is hanging in limbo in the Senate. Even if it emerges unscathed from the clutches of the Senate, there is virtually no chance of Obama signing it into law. DHS says it will have to shut down by the end of this month if not funded.
On the bright side, we have to suffer this nonsense for only a few weeks short of two more years. Hopefully, by November 2016 the people of this country will have wised up to the completely idiotic game the liberals are playing with the future of this once-great country. We can also hope that the damage Obama and his socialist horde have wrought upon us is reversible.
