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Gibson on Obama's immigration plan
Nov 21, 2014 8:27 am
Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) opposes President Barack Obama’s speech Thu., Nov. 20, on immigration, calling his plan "unconstitutional" in a press release sent moments after the president's speech. “This is a mistake,” he said. “Clearly, our immigration system is broken, but we need to work together to change the law, using the process outlined in our Constitution. I have long supported securing our borders and fixing all aspects of our broken immigration system. What the President is doing here instead is selectively choosing not to enforce the law, something he is duty-bound to do by his oath of office.... What the Senate can do immediately is pass the emergency immigration legislation that the House passed in early August, which commits new resources to securing our borders and addresses the root causes of this problem. From there, the President can make working with Congress on effective, bipartisan immigration reform a central priority for his final two years in office.” President Obama Nov. 20 said he will allow undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years to apply for a program that protects them from deportation and allows those with no criminal record to work legally in the country.
Read the full statement below.
Gibson statement on President Obama’s immigration executive order
Washington, DC – Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) opposes President Obama’s unilateral action on immigration, an action he believes is unconstitutional.
“This is a mistake,” he said. “Clearly, our immigration system is broken, but we need to work together to change the law, using the process outlined in our Constitution. I have long supported securing our borders and fixing all aspects of our broken immigration system. What the President is doing here instead is selectively choosing not to enforce the law, something he is duty-bound to do by his oath of office.”
Congressman Gibson pointed out the President himself has stated repeatedly that he does not have the authority to take this action. The President explained these legal constraints in an interview with Univision, among other media.
The best way forward, said Congressman Gibson, centers on bipartisan negotiations within Congress to address all immigration issues, including border security, interior enforcement, visa reforms, guest worker program reforms, a program to address the status of undocumented immigrants, and effective foreign policy reforms.
“What the Senate can do immediately is pass the emergency immigration legislation that the House passed in early August, which commits new resources to securing our borders and addresses the root causes of this problem,” said Congressman Gibson. “From there, the President can make working with Congress on effective, bipartisan immigration reform a central priority for his final two years in office.”
After securing our borders, Congressman Gibson supports legislation that encourages people living in the country without legal documentation to come forward and plead guilty to breaking the law, submit to a background check, and pay a fine. These actions would lead to earned legal status.
He has been calling for action on immigration reform since he retired from the United States Army in 2010. He detailed his views in an op-ed piece in the Times Herald-Record and introduced legislation to reform the H-2A visa program, an important component of our rural economy.
In addition, Congressman Gibson has been an outspoken advocate for restoring balance to the executive-legislative branch relationship. In response to the trend since World War II of consolidation of war powers in the executive branch, which has led to Presidents from both political parties taking us to war without the consent of the governed, he authored bipartisan legislation, HR 383, the War Powers Reform Act. This bill would ensure that the American people get a voice, through their elected Representative, in the solemn decision on the use of military force.
He continues to work on legislation to empower Congress to restore its proper role as envisioned by the Founders, but ultimately Congressman Gibson believes real change will only come from a future President who supports these necessary changes and/or a landmark decision from the Supreme Court.
Read the full statement below.
Gibson statement on President Obama’s immigration executive order
Washington, DC – Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) opposes President Obama’s unilateral action on immigration, an action he believes is unconstitutional.
“This is a mistake,” he said. “Clearly, our immigration system is broken, but we need to work together to change the law, using the process outlined in our Constitution. I have long supported securing our borders and fixing all aspects of our broken immigration system. What the President is doing here instead is selectively choosing not to enforce the law, something he is duty-bound to do by his oath of office.”
Congressman Gibson pointed out the President himself has stated repeatedly that he does not have the authority to take this action. The President explained these legal constraints in an interview with Univision, among other media.
The best way forward, said Congressman Gibson, centers on bipartisan negotiations within Congress to address all immigration issues, including border security, interior enforcement, visa reforms, guest worker program reforms, a program to address the status of undocumented immigrants, and effective foreign policy reforms.
“What the Senate can do immediately is pass the emergency immigration legislation that the House passed in early August, which commits new resources to securing our borders and addresses the root causes of this problem,” said Congressman Gibson. “From there, the President can make working with Congress on effective, bipartisan immigration reform a central priority for his final two years in office.”
After securing our borders, Congressman Gibson supports legislation that encourages people living in the country without legal documentation to come forward and plead guilty to breaking the law, submit to a background check, and pay a fine. These actions would lead to earned legal status.
He has been calling for action on immigration reform since he retired from the United States Army in 2010. He detailed his views in an op-ed piece in the Times Herald-Record and introduced legislation to reform the H-2A visa program, an important component of our rural economy.
In addition, Congressman Gibson has been an outspoken advocate for restoring balance to the executive-legislative branch relationship. In response to the trend since World War II of consolidation of war powers in the executive branch, which has led to Presidents from both political parties taking us to war without the consent of the governed, he authored bipartisan legislation, HR 383, the War Powers Reform Act. This bill would ensure that the American people get a voice, through their elected Representative, in the solemn decision on the use of military force.
He continues to work on legislation to empower Congress to restore its proper role as envisioned by the Founders, but ultimately Congressman Gibson believes real change will only come from a future President who supports these necessary changes and/or a landmark decision from the Supreme Court.