President Threatens Executive Action,
but not on immigration
In his January 28 State of the Union address, President Obama threatened to use his executive powers on several issues if Congress doesn’t act, but, notably, left immigration off the list. He also said little about immigration reform in general, except to urge Congress to get it done.
POLITICO explains the reason for this softer approach in its January 29 article: Republicans bash Obama for overstepping bounds:
“The president left Congress some breathing room on this issue, devoting little time in his address to immigration reform.”
But, by asserting his right to use executive powers on other issues, the president, at least indirectly, made clear that if the House continues with its obstruction of immigration reform, further administrative action in this area too will not be off the table. At least let us hope not.