Democrats plan to help immigrants as Republicans ‘play politics’

While Republicans continue their efforts to block President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, Democrats are planning events across the country to help educate and prepare immigrants for the president’s immigration actions.

Democrats announced their plans during a press conference on Tuesday. They said they will hold events in dozens of cities to get immigrants ready for Obama’s executive actions, which include allowing the parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for relief from deportation and work permits.

SEE ALSO: GOP fight against Obama’s executive actions to start soon

The effort is led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who announced last week his plans to tour the country as a way to promote Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Gutierrez said on the House floor last week that while Republicans continue to “play politics” on immigration, Democrats “are actually taking steps on immigration.” He reiterated that message at the press conference on Tuesday.

“While Republicans are trying to sue the president or play legislative games with the budget of the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats are going to protect American families and get people ready to sign up,” Gutierrez said.

Meanwhile, Republicans continue their efforts to try to block Obama’s immigration actions. GOP leaders are pushing for the passage of a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of September but would roll back the president’s executive actions on immigration. A vote could come as early as Wednesday.

At a press conference on Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) stressed that the debate over the DHS funding bill is not about immigration, but rather about “the president acting lawlessly.”

“Our goal here is to fund the Department of Homeland Security,” Boehner said. “Our second goal is to stop the president’s executive overreach.”

But the White House made clear on Monday that Obama would veto the DHS funding bill if it includes amendments that would undermine the president’s executive actions on immigration. “If presented to the president with objectionable restrictions, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto this bill,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: White House issues veto threat on DHS funding bill

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