Speech #1140086230

Mr. President. it has been almost 3 years since the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform. Senate Democrats worked with a handful of Republicans to craft a good. fair. comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed with strong bipartisan support. Then we watched as Speaker Boehner capitulated to the tea party radicals and refused to allow a vote on the floor. It would have passed overwhelmingly. To his credit. President Obama saw Republicans inertia on immigration reform and decided to act. He told us in his State of the Union Address that he was tired of waiting around for Republicans to do things. so he had to do it himself. and that is what he has done. Using his Executive authority under existing law. he worked to fix the system to prioritize enforcement resources on those who actually pose a threat to our national security and public safety. On November 20. 2014. President Obama ordered a series of Executive actions that increased border security and ensured greater accountability throughout our immigration system. One aspect of President Obamas Executive actions was the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents Program. The program provided temporary deportation relief for parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. if they meet three basic requirements. No. 1. they have to be in the country for at least 5 years. No. 2. they must register with the government. and No. 3. they must pass a criminal background check. Today. there are over 5 million childrenall U.S. citizenswho are eligible for this program. President Obama also expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival Program. helping to protect DREAMers. the undocumented children who were brought to the United States at a very young age. To date. over 700.000 DREAMers have been protected12.000 in Nevada alone. Not only were these Executive actions the right thing to do. they were also smart investments.