Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva issued an angry statement in response to President Obama’s decision to delay an executive action to grant amnesty to those in the country illegally until after the November elections. Grijalva said the president “placed political calculations over the hopes and needs of immigrant communities.”
Grijalva accused the president of reneging “on his own commitment,” and “instead chose what is expedient, betraying the trust of some of the most vulnerable among us.”
“His actions also led many in Congress to act under the assumption that he would keep his word. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, and many others, provided recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security on actions that could be taken,” said Grijalva, who was angry that campaign “promises were made to activists,” and now they would not be fulfilled.
“Now everyone is left wondering why those hopes were set aside so callously in a political calculation,” said Grijalva. “The outcome of these senate races will not change the political landscape for immigration reform – whether won or lost, the president will still have to act alone to get this done.”
“The president’s actions leave those who looked to him for hope feeling alone, ignored and used. So if executive action needs to wait for a political calculation, then deportations should too.” Grijalva said delaying deportations is “the very least that the president can do.”
Contrary to Grijalva’s claims, the Obama administration has issued policies that all but prevent deportations. The administration already has essentially granted amnesty to millions by putting those policies in place for DREAMERs and others in the country illegally.
Grijalva, an open border proponent has worked to prevent border security.