The announcement that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is ending came as yet another divisive move made by the Trump administration. While many are admonishing President Trump, the situation will likely work out to his advantage either way.
Trump is already getting admonished for starting the reversal of DACA from, largely from the Left. In terms of voters, he has nothing to lose on that front — pro-immigration voters already hate Trump.
However, there are those on the Right that support his decision to end DACA on constitutional grounds — such as Townhall editor Katie Pavlich, and our own Tom Rogan — and want Congress to replace it with legitimate legislation, which is exactly what Trump challenged lawmakers on the hill to do.
Congress now has 6 months to legalize DACA (something the Obama Administration was unable to do). If they can’t, I will revisit this issue!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2017
I look forward to working w/ D’s + R’s in Congress to address immigration reform in a way that puts hardworking citizens of our country 1st.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2017
Congress, get ready to do your job – DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2017
By delaying the end of DACA for six months, and giving Congress time to pass a bill, Trump for once becomes a champion for the separation of powers. He presents a respect for the Constitution that many in his base appreciate. A Morning Consult poll from this past April revealed that 73 percent of Trump voters felt that Dreamers should stay in the country. Encouraging Congress to act — “I hope they do, I certainly hope they do,” he said — supports his insistence that, despite his decision, he “loves” the Dreamers.
Pres. Trump tells @CeciliaVega he has “no second thoughts” about his decision to end DACA https://t.co/dM0taNIRjC pic.twitter.com/dC1n6zfvJ6
— ABC News (@ABC) September 6, 2017
The expiration date is actually forcing Congress to act. Some may see Trump’s decision to end DACA, rather than defer and wait for a bill to make Obama’s executive order obsolete, as a strategic nudge to Congress.
But in his encouragement to Congress, he’s also pushing the responsibility of the Dreamers onto his political peers. Already, some members of Congress are fighting over DACA. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., scolded Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-III, for the democrat’s barrage on White House chief of staff John Kelly. All eyes are on Congress to see if they can manage to cooperate.
A Sep. 5 Morning Consult/Politico poll asking whether Democrats or Republicans should be trusted more with immigration reform revealed that neither party had a majority of support — each one earned 40 percent.
Trump has created a win-win situation for himself with the DACA reversal.
If Congress succeeds, it’s on him — Trump pushed them to finally take action on legitimately reforming immigration. It would be presented as a much more secure and permanent solution for DACA recipients.
If Congress fails, it’s on them — Trump gave them a chance. Trump would still get the blame if there is no DACA legislation, but at least he won’t be the only one to blame; Democrats and Republicans in Congress would be dragged down with him too.
Gabriella Munoz is a commentary desk intern with the Washington Examiner and a student at Georgetown University.
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