Will Obama’s Delay of Deportation Policies Help Save Immigration Reform? Poll Says Tea Party Voters Want Reform This Year
GOP Tea Party voters and conservative Republicans are now vocalizing the need to press forward with immigration reform. In spite of this, President Barack Obama has delayed a review of deportation policies, which won't be addressed until the end of the summer, in hopes that Congress will approve a complete overhaul of immigration laws - resulting in a "permanent solution for people currently living in the shadows." Although postponed, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has been instructed to continue his review, but the results won't be released until after lawmakers' summer recess in August, a potential stalemate for House members and undocumented immigrants alike.
"While the review is ongoing, the president believes there is an opportunity for congressional action this summer and has asked Secretary Johnson to hold on releasing any results from his review while this window for congressional action remains open," said one administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the internal decision-making.
A nationwide survey reveals that immigration reform is a primary concern for Tea Party Republicans and conservative Republicans in 2014. Approximately 400 Republican Primary voters were polled by The Partnership for a New American Economy, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Tea Party Express to reveal the opinions of Tea Party members and conservative Republicans regarding deciding factors when voting for Congress, immigration reform policies, and stipulations for a pathway to citizenship for members of the undocumented community.
More likely to support a candidate who supports broad reform over border security only, more than 7 out of 10 Republican voters (71 percent) stated that it was important that Congress act on immigration reform now; those numbers include 69 percent of Tea Party supporters and 71 percent of individuals who identify as conservative Republicans. Most of the surveyed Republicans (76 percent) support House Speaker John Boehner's plan that involves border security and enforcement, while allowing the standing U.S.-dwelling undocumented population to remain if they are willing to pay back taxes, pay penalties, pass a criminal background check, learn English, and educate themselves on American civics. With those provisions, 67 percent of Tea Party supporters and 70 percent of conservative Republicans support providing legal status or U.S. citizenship to undocumented immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security review was announced in March in order to stem deportations and create more "humane" deportation policies. Homeland Security will likely make changes to the "Secure Communities" program, which is designed to have local law enforcement officials turn over undocumented immigrants to Immigration and Custom Enforcement for deportation proceedings. The program has been accused of targeting immigrants who were arrested for less serious crimes; the opposition, however, claims that the program effectively targets violent criminals and repeat offenders.
Boehner, who supports immigration reform, but refuses to allow a vote on the comprehensive bill approved by the Senate last year, has been pushing the smaller, piecemeal bills, which Obama has been resistant to. Regarding to the delay of the deportation review, Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, said, "Enforcing the law as written isn't a 'concession' - it is the president's solemn responsibility. Now isn't the time to be playing politics with immigration enforcement or our national security."
In a statement on the deportation review, the White House remarked that delaying the review was not meant "to interfere with the possibility of action in the House." Nonetheless, immigration advocates have slammed both, the Obama administration and House Republicans, who've voiced that, while they wait for reform, their families continue to be deported and detained.
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