DREAMers Ask Hillary Clinton About Barack Obama's Immigration Executive Action Delay
Recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DREAMers, confronted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the immigration system and President Barack Obama's decision to delay an executive action.
During a 94-second video, DREAM Iowa's Monica Reyes and DRM Action Coalition's Cesar Vargas and Erika Andiola asked Clinton about the inaction on immigration by Congress and Obama. The 2008 Democratic presidential candidate was in Indianola, Iowa for the 37th and final Harkin Steak Fry, a Democratic fundraiser, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Clinton hinted about a second presidential run during a speech at the fundraiser, stating, "Well it is true, I am thinking about it. But for today, that is not why I'm here."
Despite the heavy presence of reporters, the former New York senator dodged questions about a potential presidential candidacy. For Clinton, it is her first trip to the state following her third-place finish at the 2008 Iowa Caucus. The event was political as it also served as a location to boost support for Democratic candidates such as Senate hopeful Bruce Baley. Spectators also waited for autographs and photos with the Clintons.
Among the crowd were DREAMers with the intent to question the Clintons about immigration, deportation and Obama's executive action delay.
In response to Reyes' question for Clinton's thoughts on the immigration situation, the former Secretary of State said, "Well, I think we just have to keep working, can't stop, ever working."
"The president has broken his promise to the Latino community ... we wanted to know if you stand by the president delay on immigration?" said Vargas.
"I think we have to elect more Democrats," Clinton replied as she signed autographs.
Vargas also asked former President Clinton if he supported Obama's immigration executive action delay. He did not respond to Vargas' question.
Clinton has previously stated she supports a "path to legalization" for undocumented immigrants, which may include paying a fine, taxation, learning English and specific conditions.
Andiola and Vargas may be familiar names as they previously confronted Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, in early August. The two DREAMers approached Rep. King and Rep. Rand Paul, R-Ky, outside a restaurant and identified themselves as DACA recipients. The two DREAMers and King discussed immigration, deportation and the representative's opposition to DACA.
As Latin Post reported, Republicans in the House of Representatives introduced a bill that would end DACA. House Republicans, including King, voted to pass the bill. The legislation stated that "no agency or instrumentality of the Federal government" should issue "guidance, memorandums, regulations, policies, or other similar instruments" to expand the number of undocumented immigrants eligible for DACA.
Although the Senate passed bipartisan immigration reform legislation, the House has yet to vote on the bill. Clinton voiced her support of the Senate bill. Due to congressional inaction, Obama stated he would issue an executive action on immigration. Originally, the decision was set for late August or early September, but the president announced he'll delay potential executive action to November.
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