President Obamashowed noindication that he would back down from a pledge to take Executive Action onimmigration despite the Republican party’s big wins in Tuesday’selections. He promised that he would takewhatever lawful action he could if the Congress does not pass meaningful immigrationlegislation during the November-December lame duck period.
However, he gave no details about whether theExecutive Action would be limited to legalization of the undocumented or abroader action that might liberalize employment-based visa classes such asH-1Bs and employment-basedgreen cards. A listof Executive Action options includes both options.
Meanwhile the TeaParty republicans threatened to take legal action if the President does anythingon immigration. Republicans attempts atfiling a law suit against President Obama seems to be riddledwith problems. Politico has reportedthat two different law firms have started and then declined to work on theRepublican’s law suit in the last two months.
The longer that thePresident dawdles on the Executive Action pledge, the more he feeds the memethat his Presidency is one of all talk and no action.