Obama encourages illegal aliens to continue hunger strike

President Barack Obama and his entourage on Friday visited with pro-illegal-alien activists who are holding a hunger strike in Washington, D.C., as part of a protest against the lack of enthusiasm for immigration reform in the Congress. Obama praised their dedication and encouraged them to fight on.

Obama and the First Lady Michelle offered their support for the "Fast for Families" demonstration that is being held in the National Mall. The illegal-alien advocates are calling for the promised amnesty and the end of enforcement of U.S. immigration laws against Latinos.

According to the White House, Obama gave the hunger-strike participants his gratitude for their sacrifice and dedication, telling them the country is behind them on immigration reform, a claim not found to be true according to numerous polls from reputable pollsters.

December 1, 2013
Jim Kouri
examiner.com

“Instead of telling the strikers to eat something and allow the political process move forward in solving the enormous immigration crisis, he chose to encourage them and blame the GOP for the enforcement of immigration laws,” said former police detective Iris Aquino.

“I’d venture a guess that when Obama sees illegal aliens he doesn’t see their suffering and fears; he sees votes for his corrupt party,” she added.

The immigration activists comprising Fast for Families have refused all food and drink except for water since Nov. 12, 2013. They are demanding the leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives pass immigration reform.

The Republican-controlled House has refused to take up an immigration reform bill passed by the Senate in the summer, choosing to push for more successful border security measures on the nation's southwest border.

Many Obama administration officials have also visited the hunger-strikers including Vice President Joe Biden, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, and Obama's confidante Valerie Jarrett.

False Hope?

During Obama’s speech before the hunger-striking activists on Friday, he told them the American people supported them in their quest. However, according to political pollster, Scott Rasmussen, the facts do not support Obama’s claims.

An October 2013 Rasmussen poll of likely voters indicated:

Only 25% think it is even somewhat likely that the federal government will secure the border and prevent illegal immigration with new immigration legislation; 65% consider it unlikely.

Only 18% think illegal aliens should be given immediate amnesty; 62% believe legalization should occur only after the border is secured, and 19% are unsure.

40% favor the immigration bill passed by the Senate (S.744); 40% oppose it, and 20% are undecided. Support was down from 53% just one month earlier.

29% think the House should pass Senate bill. 44% think that the House should review the Senate bill piece by piece. 27% are undecided.

Only 28% believe "comprehensive" immigration reform will pass Congress and be signed by the President this year.

59% of likely voters say that securing the U.S. border is more important than amnesty. 34% say that amnesty is more important than border security (Rasmussen, July 2013).

Only 28% of likely voters believe that the federal government is likely to secure the U.S. border if comprehensive immigration reform plan passes Congress.

Only 38% of likely voters believe that DHS should be able declare that the U.S. borders are secure.