The American people have been cut out of a process that could dramatically affect their lives"
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC Rather than attempt
to hide these actions from the American people until after the
mid-term elections Americans should be given the chance to come to their own conclusions as to the merits of these recommendations"
said Cong. Lamar Smith (R-TX) Monday as House Judiciary Committee Republicans pressed
President Obama to make public any possible
Executive Order actions he may take on immigration. The White House has repeatedly confirmed plans for executive
actions on immigration before the end of the year.
In part the letter reads:
You have made clear that you will take such actions without the passage of any legislation by Congress and therefore without the input of the American publics representatives. Additionally it has been widely reported that you and your Administration have been meeting with select interest groups regarding their demands for administrative action on immigration.
As a result the American people have been cut out of a process that could dramatically affect their lives.
Whether its now or November it is never acceptable for the Executive Branch to ignore the Constitution and unilaterally give amnesty to unlawful immigrants. Regarding actions you are planning that you believe would comply with the Constitution the least the Administration can do is give Americans the opportunity to see the recommendations that you are considering before you take any actions.
Rather than attempt to hide these actions from the American people until after the midterm elections Americans should be given the chance to come to their own conclusions as to the merits of these recommendations. They can then exercise their constitutional right to petition the federal government and let you know their opinions."
Smith recently criticized a
White House decision to delay executive action until after the November election calling it an open admission that the president intends to take actions that the majority of Americans oppose."
Full text of the letter signed by all 22 House Judiciary Republican members can be found
here.
