OPINION:
Those attacking President Trump’s assertion that he will issue executive orders adverse to “birthright citizenship” and open-borders asylum demands were strangely silent when then President Obama repeatedly acted at variance to the congressional constitutional province with regard to immigration laws.
The most obvious example is DACA, which Mr. Obama created by executive order because Congress refused to create it by legislation. It grants nearly all of the benefits of citizenship to illegal aliens based on the questionable rationale that their illegal-alien parents are responsible for their presence. It also grants privileges that abridge the rights of Americans. DACA is clearly unconstitutional, yet outlaw judges have consistently issued decrees negating Mr. Trump’s executive orders to right that wrong. They are all on appeal.
In contrast to Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump’s proposed actions are to protect and preserve America from the excesses and consequences of illegal immigration. Ultimately the matter will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court due to Congress’ abdication of its responsibility.
Similarly, President Lincoln took such action to protect and preserve the United States by issuing an executive order, the Emancipation Proclamation, directed at the slave-holding seceded states no longer functioning as part of the United States. It was not until after the Civil War that the 13th Amendment was passed and ratified, which put an end to slavery.
Illegal immigration is an issue of national emergency, as was slavery.
HESSIE L. HARRIS
Silver Spring
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