On the recordMarch 12, 2014
Mr. Chairman, once again, Republicans are attempting to restrict the President's constitutional authority of prosecutorial discretion. Deferring deportations of DREAMers is squarely within the President's authority. It is right there under the Constitution's Take Care Clause. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is legally sound, makes sense, and is the right thing to do. These kids study in our schools. They play in our neighborhoods. They pledge allegiance to our flag. All they want to do is to continue calling their home ``home.'' Every day that Republicans stonewall immigration reform, another 1,100 people are deported and families are split up. Instead, the ICE Parental Interest Directive protects the parental rights of detained parents. It does not limit immigration enforcement at all. The directive is about family values. It is about American values. Bills like this waste time while thousands of families are separated. This must end now. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.
