Immigration will be a key issue in the next presidential election Inset: President Barack Obama
by Shirley-Ann Queeley –
USA President – Barack Obama
Large numbers of Montserratians living illegally in the United States could be spared the disgrace of deportation.
US President Barack Obama announced on Thursday evening far-reaching changes to the US immigrations laws that will allow nearly 5 million illegal residents there to, as he puts it, “come out of the shadows and get right with the law.”
The main beneficiaries of the president’s actions will be about five million illegal resident foreigners, including Montserratian immigrants who have been in the U.S. illegally for more than five years but whose children are citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Over two hundred Montserratians have found themselves in this situation after the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to them as a result of the volcano crisis, expired.
After passing background checks and paying the required fees, those persons can now be granted relief from deportation for three years and acquire work permits.
California Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives
Applications for the new deportation deferrals will begin next spring, according to US administration officials.
In 1997, the US government included Montserratian migrants who had fled the erupting volcano, in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.
US immigration laws stated that this was done on the basis that the volcanic eruptions then, caused a substantial, but temporary, disruption to living conditions that rendered Montserrat unable, temporarily, to adequately handle the return of nationals.
Meanwhile, Nelson A. King writes for CMC from Washington- United States President Barack Obama says he is taking executive actions to fix the US “broken immigration system” by halting deportations of certain undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants.
In a 15-minute address from the East Room of the White House on Thursday night, Obama said his administration plans to adopt measures to “deal responsibly” with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live in the US.
José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS)
But he said that even as America is a nation of immigrants, it is also a nation of laws and that undocumented workers who break the immigration laws must be held accountable, especially those who may be dangerous.
“That’s why, over the past six years, deportations of criminals are up 80 per cent,” he said, adding “and that’s why we are going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security”.
Obama said his administration will, however, prioritize those for deportation “just like immigration enforcement does every day.
“But even as we focus on deporting criminals, the fact is, millions of immigrants still live here illegally,” he said.
“And let’s be honest, tracking down, rounding up, and deporting millions of people isn’t realistic. Anyone who suggests otherwise isn’t being straight with you.
“It’s also not who we are as Americans. After all, most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are American-born or spent most of their lives here, and their hopes, dreams and patriotism are just like ours,” he said, reminding Americans that his predecessor, George W. Bush, once indicated “they are a part of American life”.
He said that immigrants must “play by the rules” and that “those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded,” offering what he described as a “deal.
Maria Cardona
“If you’ve been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation.
“You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law,” he added, hastening to point out that “the deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently.
“It does not apply to anyone who might come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship, or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive, only Congress can do that. All we’re saying is we’re not going to deport you,” he added.
Obama said his “deal” is not an amnesty, as suggested by Republican critics, stating that amnesty is “the immigration system we have today, millions of people who live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time.
“That’s the real amnesty, leaving this broken system the way it is. Mass amnesty would be unfair. Mass deportation would be both impossible and contrary to our character. What I’m describing is accountability, a commonsense, middle ground approach.
“If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you’re a criminal, you’ll be deported. If you plan to enter the US illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up,” he added.
Obama said the actions he’s taking are not only lawful. “They are the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican President and every single Democratic President for the past half century.
“And to those Members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill,” he said.
The US president said he wants to work with both parties… to “pass a more permanent legislative solution.
“And the day I sign that bill into law, the actions I take will no longer be necessary,” he said, warning legislators, however, not to make “a disagreement over a single issue be a deal breaker on every issue”.
But conservative Republican lawmakers have accused Obama of abusing his office by using executive action.
California congressman Kevin McCarthy, majority leader of the US House of Representative, described the action as a “brazen power grab”, promising a fight when the Republicans take full control of Congress next year.
Meantime, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, welcomed the president’s initiative that benefits nearly five million undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants.
“This is the fruit of the struggle they have carried forward for years to achieve a migratory status that distances them from illegality and brings them closer to a life of dignity in this country,” he said.
