Alienated by illegal-alien move

The Washington Times

RON GOODDEN

Atlanta

August 23, 2011

Last Thursday, the Obama administration effectively issued an administrative amnesty to illegal aliens ("Obama to deport illegals by 'priority,' " Politics, Thursday). Illegals detained will now, in most cases, be released and granted valid work permits - a backdoor amnesty on which Congress, even under the Democrats, was unwilling to sign off.

The results will be to worsen the plight of the unemployed, cost state and local governments billions in extra social services and further weaken our nation's immigration laws.

The economic recession will thus claim even more victims, as those in need of jobs will have to unfairly compete with illegal aliens. The White House's forlorn hope is that, in appeasing open-border activists, the president's sinking approval numbers might be offset among Hispanics. His poor performance in office is thus impelling Mr. Obama toward ever more desperate measures as the 2012 election nears.

Clear majorities of Americans oppose the current high rate of immigration, and the president's action only alienates many who hoped for more out of this presidency.

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