Rahall: Enforce Immigration Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing Constitutional concerns, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) Monday voiced his opposition to the Obama Administration’s recent announcement that it would decline to enforce the law when it comes to the deportation of certain illegal aliens.

“We are a nation of immigrants.  But I believe that the president is wrong on this issue -- as wrong as he can be,” said Rahall.  “For every immigrant who came to this country legally, abiding by the process and respecting the law, this action is a slap in the face.  For the American workers, who will be forced to compete for American jobs against immigrant aliens, this action is a slap in the face.”

In a statement in the House of Representatives, Rahall expressed his deep concerns about the Obama Administration’s proposed policy, announced last Friday, that would exempt unauthorized aliens who were brought to the United States as children from deportation proceedings and authorize them to work in the United States. Rahall has been a frequent critic of so-called amnesty proposals for illegal aliens and recently voted in favor of legislation to limit the Administration from unilaterally exempting certain unauthorized aliens from deportation proceedings. 

“The Constitution requires the president to enforce the law.  It authorizes the president to recommend changes to the law.  It does not -- does not -- permit the president to selectively choose which laws to enforce,” said Rahall.  “More important than party, and more important than presidential politics, must be the upholding of the constitution and seeing to it that the laws are faithfully executed.  This action may make for good politics in some quarters of our Nation, but it sets a terrible and dangerous precedent.”

Rahall’s full statement is attached.

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