Obama offering own immigration plan if Congress fails to act
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is downplaying its draft proposal as merely a backup plan if lawmakers don't come up with an immigration overhaul of their own. It won't be necessary, Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike are telling the Obama administration.
White House chief of staff Denis McDonough said Sunday that President Barack Obama wants to "be prepared" in case the small bipartisan group of senators fails to devise a plan for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. In response, lawmakers assured the White House they are working on their own plan - and warned that Obama would be heading toward failure if the White House gets ahead of them.
"We will be prepared with our own plan if these ongoing talks between Republicans and Democrats up on Capitol Hill break down," McDonough said, adding he's optimistic they would not crumble.
But he was equally realistic about the fierce partisanship on Capitol Hill.
"Well, let's make sure that it doesn't have to be proposed," McDonough said of the president's pitch, first reported on USA Today's website late Saturday.
Even so, the administration is moving forward on its own immigration agenda should one of Obama's top priorities get derailed.
The administration's proposal would create a visa for those in the country illegally and allow them to become legal permanent residents within eight years. The proposal also requires businesses to know the immigration status of their workers and adds more funding for border security.
It drew immediate criticism from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., one of the eight lawmakers searching for a comprehensive plan.
"If actually proposed, the president's bill would be dead on arrival in Congress, leaving us with unsecured borders and a broken legal immigration system for years to come," said Rubio, who has been a leading GOP spokesman on immigration.
Many of the details in the administration's draft proposal follow the broad principles that Obama previously outlined. But the fact the administration is writing its own alternative signaled Obama wants to address immigration sooner rather than later and perhaps was looking to nudge lawmakers to move more quickly.
The tactic could complicate the administration's work with Congress.
Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin lawmaker who was his party's vice presidential nominee last year, said the timing of the leak suggests the White House was looking for "a partisan advantage and not a bipartisan solution."
"Leaking this out does set things in the wrong direction," said Ryan. "There are groups in the House and the Senate working together to get this done and when he does things like this, it makes that much more difficult to do that."
Freshman Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called the leaked plan "incomplete" and said both parties in Congress and the White House need to work together on a solution.
"It hasn't happened yet. It will happen before something is acted upon and certainly before something is passed," he said.
Republican Sen. John McCain predicted the administration's efforts would come up short if the White House went forward with a proposal, and he encouraged the White House to give senators a chance to finish their work.
McCain, the Arizona senator whose previous efforts at an immigration overhaul ended in failure in 2007, predicted the White House proposal's demise if it were sent to Congress. He strongly urged the president to pocket the drafted measures.
"I believe we are making progress in a bipartisan basis," said McCain, who is in the Senate group working on legislation.
And Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, who met with Obama on Wednesday at the White House to discuss progress, urged his allies in the administration to give a bipartisan group of eight lawmakers the time to hammer out a deal on their own.
Schumer, a New York Democrat and a close ally of the White House, said he has not seen the draft proposals but, along with the Democrats working on a compromise, met with Obama this week to talk about progress being made on Capitol Hill.
Schumer acknowledged that a single-party proposal would have a much more difficult time becoming law and urged the bipartisan group of senators to keep meeting to find common ground.
"I am very hopeful that in March we will have a bipartisan bill," Schumer said. "And, you know, it's obvious if a Democrat - the president or anyone else - puts out what they want on their own, (it) is going to be different than when you have a bipartisan agreement. But the only way we're going to get something done is with a bipartisan agreement."
McDonough appeared on ABC's "This Week," NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS' "Face the Nation." Ryan and Castro spoke to "This Week." McCain spoke to "Meet the Press." Schumer appeared on CNN's "State of the Union."
White House chief of staff Denis McDonough said Sunday that President Barack Obama wants to "be prepared" in case the small bipartisan group of senators fails to devise a plan for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. In response, lawmakers assured the White House they are working on their own plan - and warned that Obama would be heading toward failure if the White House gets ahead of them.
"We will be prepared with our own plan if these ongoing talks between Republicans and Democrats up on Capitol Hill break down," McDonough said, adding he's optimistic they would not crumble.
But he was equally realistic about the fierce partisanship on Capitol Hill.
"Well, let's make sure that it doesn't have to be proposed," McDonough said of the president's pitch, first reported on USA Today's website late Saturday.
Even so, the administration is moving forward on its own immigration agenda should one of Obama's top priorities get derailed.
The administration's proposal would create a visa for those in the country illegally and allow them to become legal permanent residents within eight years. The proposal also requires businesses to know the immigration status of their workers and adds more funding for border security.
It drew immediate criticism from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., one of the eight lawmakers searching for a comprehensive plan.
"If actually proposed, the president's bill would be dead on arrival in Congress, leaving us with unsecured borders and a broken legal immigration system for years to come," said Rubio, who has been a leading GOP spokesman on immigration.
Many of the details in the administration's draft proposal follow the broad principles that Obama previously outlined. But the fact the administration is writing its own alternative signaled Obama wants to address immigration sooner rather than later and perhaps was looking to nudge lawmakers to move more quickly.
The tactic could complicate the administration's work with Congress.
Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin lawmaker who was his party's vice presidential nominee last year, said the timing of the leak suggests the White House was looking for "a partisan advantage and not a bipartisan solution."
"Leaking this out does set things in the wrong direction," said Ryan. "There are groups in the House and the Senate working together to get this done and when he does things like this, it makes that much more difficult to do that."
Freshman Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called the leaked plan "incomplete" and said both parties in Congress and the White House need to work together on a solution.
"It hasn't happened yet. It will happen before something is acted upon and certainly before something is passed," he said.
Republican Sen. John McCain predicted the administration's efforts would come up short if the White House went forward with a proposal, and he encouraged the White House to give senators a chance to finish their work.
McCain, the Arizona senator whose previous efforts at an immigration overhaul ended in failure in 2007, predicted the White House proposal's demise if it were sent to Congress. He strongly urged the president to pocket the drafted measures.
"I believe we are making progress in a bipartisan basis," said McCain, who is in the Senate group working on legislation.
And Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, who met with Obama on Wednesday at the White House to discuss progress, urged his allies in the administration to give a bipartisan group of eight lawmakers the time to hammer out a deal on their own.
Schumer, a New York Democrat and a close ally of the White House, said he has not seen the draft proposals but, along with the Democrats working on a compromise, met with Obama this week to talk about progress being made on Capitol Hill.
Schumer acknowledged that a single-party proposal would have a much more difficult time becoming law and urged the bipartisan group of senators to keep meeting to find common ground.
"I am very hopeful that in March we will have a bipartisan bill," Schumer said. "And, you know, it's obvious if a Democrat - the president or anyone else - puts out what they want on their own, (it) is going to be different than when you have a bipartisan agreement. But the only way we're going to get something done is with a bipartisan agreement."
McDonough appeared on ABC's "This Week," NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS' "Face the Nation." Ryan and Castro spoke to "This Week." McCain spoke to "Meet the Press." Schumer appeared on CNN's "State of the Union."
Sign Reads: "I want my family together."
SOLUTION: GO BACK HOME! You'll all be together- just NOT here!
Sign Reads: "No human being is illegal"
FACT: Uhmmm YES they are! If they sneak into the country and it's against the law, they ARE illegal.Â
There's a legal way to come here- it's not easy but MANY people have suffered and struggled to do just that!Â
Why is he holding a sign about 1M deportations. What happened to deportations being down under Obama? All of the illegals in that group should be rounded up and dumped at the southern most point in Mexico. Â
Perfect spot for a drone strike.Â
@axpman https://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/february-12-2013/how-obama-administration-inflates-deportation-statistics.html
It's all about spinning info / policy options / enforcement effects via reported stats. Â Basically, what is going on is -- the Obama Admin. wants to show they are 'getting serious in deporting criminal aliens' (uh-hum, you know, the kind of illegal aliens that commit serious crimes here - I know, I said that with a straight face...), so they can then build support / woo Republicans / pull crap over on the American people / etc. in plugging for a full amnesty later on. Â The reports about SO many illegals being deported is actually because Obama just instructed the management within some agencies to redefine who was officially 'deported' (to inflate the totals). Â Overall, enforcement under Obama has waned (especially interior and worksite enforcement). Illegals are hardly 'living in the shadows' when they can protest, go to school, illegally work jobs, etc. Â
While I don't support the drone strike idea, I think a timely visit by CBP and ICE is definitely a goal to strive for.
You cannot have a worldwide antichrist with a soverign usa so we must end soon yeah to bad now but prophecy must be fulfilled sometime. Â The true God commands but does not force worship unlike the god of this world Satan so when individuals and nations reject Him he honors free will so that Tyrants who do Not honor truth justice or your will invariably insert themselves Gods place with the ease of self delusion of those who prefer their own lies to God's truth.
@Ramona ........keep the sermons for church !
@Rob C 503Â I will preach here kicked off.
@Rob C 503Â I do not force you to read so just skip my name and you will not be bothered. Â Does that make sense?
@Ramona ......yeah, that makes sense.
"With the New York skyline behind, a group of immigrant rights advocates gather near Ellis Island Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, N.J. The group is planning to march from Ellis Island to an immigrant detention center in northern New Jersey to protest the immigrant detention system." Nice, these qu*er biscuits won't even refer to them as illegals. How can illegals keep participating in these protests and not getting arrested. I.C.E is either incompetent or just incompetent, you decide.Â
@TreeWizard What's a queer biscuit?
@Morticae @TreeWizard who knows.
@Morticae @TreeWizard Nope, sorry, the bacon *wink* *wink* appears to be missing.
@TreeWizard @Morticae I hope it has bacon.
Hey now they are allowing illegals to get in state tuition....keep giving it away and soon we the legal citizens will have nothing......I see a civil war coming.
Since when did the village idiot become the king?
Remember the idiot has 2 dogs in this fight, both his aunti and his uncle are in the US illegally, however for some unknown reason a federal judge allowed aunti to stay pending.
This clown will not stop until he has destroyed the US
This will help his third term
King Obama needs those illegal votes for his party. Executive Order time !
When is Congress going to Impeach this guy for constantly doing the end around on Congress?? the POTUS needs to learn that we have the Judicial branch, Legislative branch, and Executive branch for a reason....checks and balances! And that he cant just do whatever he wants, whenever he wants!
@Donttreadonme You realize that the subject of this story is not an edict, but is actually proposed legislation that Obama might submit to Congress for its approval/disapproval and that if approved would then be subject to judicial review, right?Â
No, you don't.Â
@Max Quinn Unless he simply signs an EO, which he's not above doing.Â
@Max Quinn  I think this article has a confusing tone to it that makes some people think Obama has the power to enact the new policy himself. But, that's not true, of course. His "Executive orders" have limits and can usually never change very much. Kind of like when he did an executive order in regards to student loans, in reality he didn't change anything but highlighted already existing options. His order did plan a rate change, and that's something that had be to discussed and could have been amended by others. So, executive orders aren't very powerful.... but some people on here might think he can do anything he wants. But, they are just misinformed.
@Max Quinn @Donttreadonme His end runs are fast and furious
@Donttreadonme ....take out the T U in your acronym and you've got it right !
Better get going Congress. Â Otherwise the dictator will act on his own. Â Don't forget, in his state of the union address, he threatened to do just that.
get in the line with the rest of us. if you skip, you're illegal
It seems the President will have his way regardless of legislative action. Is this the new American political way of saying "My Way or the Highway"?
I don't understand the concept of giving illegal aliens citizenship. The whole world is not one big country, so why are some people trying to treat it as such? We have far too many social programs that the aliens could leech off of, causing a greater burden for our country. We need to focus on our own people, and deport any illegals.
@Morticae Yup. It is just that simple.
President Obama is simply doing the bidding of the DNC coming into midterms and the 2016 elections. Shoring up the latino vote.Â
For all that he is not, he full well understands the Constitutional limitations of his office, and he also knows all to well the fact that 99% of the proposals that come from his office are likely DOA in the house of Boehner. So, one has to ponder the question what is truly his goal in making such idealistic proposals when they have no chance of becoming law?
He, as well as the DNC, are seeking election fodder for the mid-term elections and hoping that they can either trim away the control of the House for his last two years, or outright gain control of the House. Nothing more. Every DNC representative in the House will come out publicly to support whatever proposals come forward, even knowing that they have no chance, because it will make for good campaign PR for the 2014 elections. Likewise, any GOP candidates who are in demographically  majority latino states will be campaigned against as 'racist' for not supporting it.Â
Gawsh, I just love politics. Â
Mar
The village idiot is doing the bidding of la raza and the mexican government. Just think the mexican drug cartel bought and paid for the idiot and he is doing what he is told.
@MarkKpic From what I've read, there are as many Republicans as Democrats seeking some kind of immigration reform.  And if Congress is too afraid to act, then the President will.  Sounds like it's time for Congress to do something, doesn't it?
@Sundowner @MarkKpic The tail wagging the dog.Â
Neither party has a leg to stand on with regards to the issue of dealing with illegal immigration. The reason being voter demographics. ALL President Obama is doing is catering to that demographic under the DNC banner. Nothing more, nothing less.Â
There is nothing he can do by himself, and he knows this. So, he does a bit of grandstanding and irrelevent of the outcome of this whole debate (I'm frankly on the fence as to my belief if anything substanitive will come of it), he and the DNC have some mid-term campaign fodder.Â
...irrelevent if it has any factual basis, it makes it appear that they are 'on the side' of immigrants.Â
They are all pandering to the Latino vote, big surprise. I wish they would get something done on immigration reform so we can move forward and deal with the debt crisis this country is in.
@Torino_v2Â The irony is.. if they do get an amnesty passed into law that legalizes several million people, that would hasten our imminent fiscal demise (instantly, millions more -- and their DEPENDENTS -- would be eligible for and added to the millions receiving SS benefits, medicare/medicaid, etc.) Nah, on second thought, let's let any 'immigration reform' languish between the Executive and Congress, and hope that it quietly dies away once and for all. Â ... In the meantime, keep enforcing ALL the immigration laws, all the time, everywhere, etc.
@Torino_v2Â Bingo! Standing ovation!!!
Did you notice that there are only two black people in the photograph?
How come there aren't lots of black people (other than rich politicians who use them for votes) out trying to advocate for the illegals?
why it gotta be black yo?
I'm glad that Marco Rubio understands what the President is planning, saying: "the president's bill would be dead on arrival in Congress"
I like him more now, once I compare him to the paranoid delusions of others.
@JTesla He's part of the 'Gang of Eight' ( along with McCain, Durbin, Schumer, etc) that recently pitched for a new amnesty for illegals.  For that reason alone, he's off my list forever.
Now, Rubio is trying to distance himself from the President's plan :
https://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/february-19-2013/sen-sessions-very-little-difference-between-wh-and-senate-plans.html
I think maybe the Tea Party folks and pro-enforcement Republicans must have called a few of his offices and let him know just how out of touch with what most Americans want..
'obama offering own immigration plan if Congress fails to act' And we all know what that means - Another one of his 'executive orders.' He has done it before and he will keep on doing it. With obozo 'running' the country, why would he have any need for congress or the supreme court?
@theobserver I'm sure he'll pull his typical we gotta pass his scheme now, like he always does when he wants congress to do his bidding.
@theobserver Hey, if you don't like the idea of the president signing an Executive Order on this subject, write to your congressman and urge him/her to act.  Pretty simple stuff.  But if Congress doesn't act, something needs to be done, doesn't it?
@Sundowner @theobserver Any executive orders that President Obama attempted to sign into law regarding illegal immigration would get trounced by the Senate and ultimately the SCOTUS.Â
..Both He and the DNC know this, which is why at this point he's only grandstanding with 'proposals' and 'suggested legislation'.Â
Although, coming into 2016, I don't put anything past them.Â
@Sundowner   Congress IS acting. Pres LOSER just doesn't like the "Play" and therefore will do just as he pleases to get what HE wants
@Sundowner   How about enforcing the laws that are currently on the books?  Yeah, he wants to do this, and he wants to do that...but until Congress can come to terms and reach an agreement acceptable to both parties, he needs to ENFORCE THE CURRENT LAWS.
@wondering @Sundowner actually Congress is vacationing for the next 3 weeks.
@wondering @Torino_v2 Whether I accept your premise or not (I don't, btw), what is it YOU want? What is it YOU think would work? Â
@Sundowner Unilateral action always makes me uncomfortable Sundowner, it does with any president.
@Sundowner @Torino_v2 ' But it's easier for the Obama haters to place the blame on him than on a Congress that has accomplished nothing in at least the past two years. '
The issue has gone on a lot longer that than.. at the same time, I don't accept any imperative that 'something must be done'. It just isn't the case.Â
Continued meager enforcement is better than no enforcement at all. However, what most Americans want is full, objective, complete enforcement against illegal aliens of all types -- regardless of where they are from, how they got here, etc.
@Sundowner I don't think he'll issue an executive order either, I was responding to your statement.Â
 I hear 'whining' from the other side constantly as well, it's a divisive issue. He should listen to his Democratic colleagues in Congress and let them attempt a bipartisan solution. If it fails, as it likely will, then send the White House recommendations.Â
Congress is designed to do nothing when there isn't a sufficient level of agreement. I happen to believe we are best represented when one party doesn't control the legislative and executive branches. It keeps the fringe interests from being represented and allows for more benign changes.Â
Take care.
@Torino_v2Â But if the other choice is . . . nothing happening on an issue that is whined about constantly ('close the borders', 'deport 'em', blah, blah), then I'll support an Executive Order. Â That doesn't sound at all like what this is -- he's sending his recommendation for legislation to Congress, just like presidents do all the time. Â But it's easier for the Obama haters to place the blame on him than on a Congress that has accomplished nothing in at least the past two years.