US Agency May Skirt Congress on Immigration

(AP)  The Obama administration, unable to push a broad immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to allow undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States, according to an agency memo.

The internal draft written by officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines ways that the government could provide "relief" to illegal immigrants - including delaying deportation for some, perhaps indefinitely, or granting green cards to others - in the absence of legislation revamping the system.

It's emerging as chances fade in this election year for a measure Obama favors to put the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. on a path to legal status, and as debate rages over an Arizona law targeting people suspected of being in the country illegally.

"This memorandum offers administrative relief options to promote family unity, foster economic growth, achieve significant process improvements and reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization," reads the 11-page document, which was written in April of this year and addressed to the agency's director.

"In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform," officials wrote, "USCIS can extend benefits and/or protections to many individuals or groups."

The memo provoked a backlash by Republicans who called it evidence that Obama is trying to devise a backdoor "amnesty" policy without political consensus to enact a new law.

"Now we find out the truth: while saying one thing to the public, the Obama administration is scheming to ensure that immigration laws are not enforced," said Rep. Lamar Smith, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican who obtained the memo, said the steps outlined in it could apply to millions.

"They're trying to circumvent Congress because they can't get something passed," Beth Pellett-Levine said Friday.

Christopher Bentley, a spokesman for the agency, said the internal document "should not be equated with official action or policy," and represented only "deliberation and exchange of ideas."

"We continue to maintain that comprehensive bipartisan legislation, coupled with smart, effective enforcement, is the only solution to our nation's immigration challenges," he said in a statement.

[BringMoney]

The 12 million illegal immigrants are for the most part unintelligent, uneducated, and lazy. Obama knows they'll make perfect Democrats.

[ganttbarb2]

Obama uses the word demagogue in reference to public politics.
By the use of the word ... dem?a?gogue/?dem??g?g/Noun 1. A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.2. (in ancient Greece and Rome) A leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people. Obama is admitting anti-immigration is popular desire and the cause of the common people.So if Obama forces an amnesty bill, it will be against the MASS of the MIDDLE CLASS who have not been able to work for going on 3 years now...30 million unemployed.OBAMA, Show your integrity. Show that you care about the backbone of your country and that you stand for the protection of the Middle Class.

[tsigili]

That would, in my view, be CRIMINAL!

The people of this country need to look at this for what it is. That is a deliberate attempt to circumvent our laws!

[pasha128]

What language are you using -- because in ENGLISH ENFORCING EXISTING LAW is not the same as CIRCUMVENTING THE LAW in anyone's wildest imagination.

[1notrub11]

Yes, well.....we wouldn't want to take the legal or proper approach, now would we? After all, that might set a precedence not seen since ...... well, I can't remember when.

At least if you are going to do something like this, for heaven's sake, don't write it down - the control over paper and communications within the US government appears to be like a sieve.

[vsmit]

Obama is obsessed with legalizing the illegal aliens. We need leadership with the WH that wants to enforce the law rather than rewarding criminal behavior.

Require e-verify now for all job applicants. Simple. Address identity theft by requiring a state ID (feds require REAL-ID for state issued IDs to prevent ID theft).

So simple even a Harvard educated lawyer could figure it out, but he does not want to. I'm afraid amnesty will end up like health care, shoved down the throat of every American.

[pasha128]

by RickChicago1 July 30, 2010 8:19 PM EDT

---

Since Congress is the only body that can pass new law; when Congress is not passing new law it is rather clear that the existing law is considered adequate and is to be ENFORCED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. If Congress believes an existing law should NOT BE ENFORCED AS WRITTEN it needs to amend the law. The Executive branch does not write law they enforce the laws currently on the books. The Executive branch could take pending congressional actions into account if there were any, but as the Republicans are BLOCKING ALL ACTIONS ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES INCLUDING FUNDING THE TROOPS SENT TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER. The President is left with only existing law to enforce -- unless you advocate illegal conduct like the Bush Wiretaps as permissible Presidential Authority. I believe this president does not support unilateral and illegal conduct like the previous President.

[pw08-2009]

Funny how a story of this importance is completely buried!!!!!!

YOU MEDIA are so transparent in your support of this administration that wants to kill America and it's way of life.

[us_1776]

Grassley, no one wants to bring up legislation such as immigration reform because the GOP Party of No, is not mature enough to engage in a bipartisan effort to solve one of our nations most pressing problems.

All the GOP is interested in is obstructionism. And that is not how you demonstrate leadership ability to anyone.




.

[Lifeson2112]

Not true. They just won't go along with amnesty. The Dems refuse to have a bipartisan discussion without it. Who's obstructing?

[6591Hou]

The argument can't logically be made that the law gets circumvented because the other side (whichever one) probably wouldn't agree to something that hasn't even been proposed. It is immoral and certainly isn't leadership.

[Lifeson2112]

Can this really be happening? Congress is becoming irrelevant. Literally. I'm actually becoming a little frightened at what is going on in Washington the last few years. Our government is WAY too big and has taken on powers it was never meant to have. Time to cut funding and shrink this monster. Vote out the Dems in November. If the Republicans won't listen to us after that vote THEM out next time.

[tsigili]

You should be very concerned, as should each and every citizen of this country. Circumventing our laws, when you are sworn to uphold them, is a very dangerous situation.

[6591Hou]

"The Obama administration, unable to push a broad immigration overhaul through Congress, is considering ways it could go around lawmakers to allow undocumented immigrants to stay in the United States, according to an agency memo.

The internal draft written by officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services outlines ways that the government could provide "relief" to illegal immigrants - including delaying deportation for some, perhaps indefinitely, or granting green cards to others - in the absence of legislation revamping the system."

Now that's 'comprehensive immigration reform' in action - not only does the federal government NOT want to enforce it's own laws, now it wants to find ways to go around them.....this is almost surreal.

[hologram5]

Agreed, the ONLY reason he is doing this is for the voter base come next election because he knows that nobody in their right mind will vote for this corporate tool again...