Is the wait almost over?
Given the lack of immigration reform in Congress, a reform through executive action is more than welcome.
The 10-point plan that the White House leaked follows the same model of what is considered comprehensive immigration reform.
The package of measures that, as has been reported, President Barack Obama will present before the end of the year, includes reinforcing the southern border, providing more opportunities for visas in the technology industry, revamping the Secure Communities program, increasing salaries for immigration officials and protecting millions of undocumented immigrants with deferred deportations.
The parents of citizens and legal residents, as well as people who have been in the U.S. longer than 10 years, are expected to be among those who will benefit from this legalization.
The content of the plan, to be implemented as part of “prosecutorial discretion,” includes many aspects of the issue, some of whichlike border securityhave had Republican support in the past.
However, the fact that this plan has already been called an “executive amnesty” shows that Republicans are deeply against this type of presidential action. Now we need to see how far the opposition will go with its obstructionism.
The Republican caucus in Congress has bills to link the federal budget extension, which expires on December 11, to the enactment of the executive order. Specifically, lawmakers are seeking to prevent the implementation of an alleged legalization by forbidding the use of federal funds for the staff and supplies needed to produce more work permits and resident cards.
Fortunately, not all Republicans want to link the budget to immigration. We hope they prevail, for the good of all of us. A crisis that threatens a government shutdown is the worst that can happen to our country and to Republicans in particular.
The time for Obama to fulfill his promise seems to be near, and the leaked plan is positive and broad. Now it just needs to be introduced officially. The political firestorm will be tough, but it is for a good cause
