McCaul: President’s Actions Tonight Threaten Our Democracy

McCaul: President's Actions Tonight Threaten Our Democracy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Obama's proposed executive actions on immigration:

"The president's decision to bypass Congress and grant amnesty to millions of unlawful immigrants is unconstitutional and a threat to our democracy. There is no doubt our immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed, but this does not mean the president has the authority to act without Congress.

"History has proven that unilateral action on immigration simply perpetuates a cycle of illegal entry into this country. This was true under the 1986 amnesty and it has been true under DACA, which enticed 60,000 unaccompanied children to make the perilous journey across our border this summer. We will see a wave of illegal immigration because of the president's actions, and in no way is the Department of Homeland Security prepared to handle such a surge. Furthermore, the president knows any immigration reforms will be ineffective as long as our border remains insecure.

"As chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I will use every tool at my disposal to stop the president's unconstitutional actions from being implemented."

Yesterday, McCaul and Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, sent aletter to the president telling him that any executive actions on immigration would be a slap in the face to the American people and the Constitution.

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