President Obama on Saturday defended his controversial executive action to grant temporary legal status to 4.1 million illegal immigrants, and challenged congressional Republicans to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
In his weekly radio address, recorded in Las Vegas, Obama rebutted criticism from Republicans that his unilateral move overstepped the Constitution, while insisting that allowing undocumented immigrants whose children are U.S. citizens or legal residents to obtain work permits is not “amnesty.” Obama blamed House Republicans for forcing his hand, saying they could have prevented his executive action by approving the Senate-passed “gang of eight” immigration reform bill.
“For a year and a half, Republican leaders in the House have refused to allow that simple vote. Now I still believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together — both parties — to solve that part of bipartisan law. But until that happens, there are actions I have a legal authority to take as president,” Obama said. “Nothing about this action will benefit anyone who has come to this country recently, or who might try and come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship or the right to stay here permanently — or offer the same benefits that citizens receive.”
“It’s certainly not amnesty, no matter how often the critics say it,” Obama continued.
Republicans in the House and Senate are vowing to confront Obama and roll back actions they insist are unconstitutional.
