Understanding Obama's Immigration Power-Grab

There is a lot I could say about President Obama's immigration speech last night. But instead of commenting broadly on the implications of Obama's unconstitutional executive amnesty, I've decided to highlight a few of the most egregious lies, half-truths and distortions that he fed the American people. 

Obama distortion: "For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations."

The truth: The United States does have a rich history of welcoming immigrants-legal immigrants. No great country can survive by "welcoming" everyone who wants to get in. 

Obama distortion: "[T]oday, our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows it."

The truth: Actually, our border security is broken and our current president is broken, and he is working diligently to break the rule of law and our constitutional republic. 

Obama distortion: "…this summer there was a brief spike in unaccompanied children being apprehended at our border…"

The truth: The spike took place over many months, but Obama and the media hid it. Obama said they would be sent back, but most of them are staying.

Obama distortion: "Meanwhile, I worked with Congress on a comprehensive fix…"

The truth: No he did not. He worked with Majority Leader Harry Reid. And back when the Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, he did nothing. 

Obama distortion: "[T]here are actions I have the legal authority to take as president, the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me, that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just…"

The truth: No, it is not the same. Previous executive orders were used to clean up ambiguities in laws PASSED BY CONGRESS. He is "passing" a new law all on his own.

Obama distortion: "…we'll build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel so that they can stem the flow of illegal crossings and speed the return of those who do cross over."

The truth: Obama has ordered the exact opposite the last six years! The Border Patrol is broken-by him. Morale has hit rock bottom. 

Obama distortion: "…we're going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who's working hard to provide for her kids."

The truth: Nice try. Mexican gangs and cartels now control significant territory on the U.S. side of the border. Deporting felons means the felon comes back. There are new stories every day about the crimes they commit. 

Obama distortion: "[This deal] does not apply to anyone who might come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship."

The truth: Obama is guaranteeing that the number of people coming will explode upward. And the deal will surely result in citizenship and, in the interim, perhaps voter fraud. 

Obama distortion: "The actions I'm taken [sic] are not only lawful, they're the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half century."

The truth: There is one major difference: Other actions by presidents on immigration were taken with the consent of Congress. 

Obama distortion: "Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents' arms, or are we a nation that values families and works together to keep them together?"

The truth: This is the worst sort of emotional blackmail I can think of, and typical of Obama. If you disagree with his usurpation of power, you want to rip children from their parents' arms. This from the same man who believes ripping babies from their mother's wombs is a right found in the Constitution.

Obama distortion: "Scripture tells us, we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger. We were strangers once, too."

The truth: The scriptures also tell us to obey just laws. The U.S. has done more for strangers than any other nation in the world. We have welcomed those who obey the law by the millions. We have liberated strangers across the globe under better presidents like FDR and Reagan.

In Obama's America it is law-abiding citizens who are beginning to feel like strangers in their own land. 

In Support Of A Federal Marriage Amendment

At a time when many conservatives have embraced a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to same-sex marriage ("Don't ask me what my position is because I won't tell you"), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has proposed a characteristically audacious solution to judicial assaults on traditional marriage: a constitutional amendment. His proposed marriage amendment would prohibit the federal government or the courts from overturning state marriage laws. It may be the only way to restore the people's voice in defining society's most fundamental institution. I write about this new proposal and why it makes sense in my latest op-ed for the Washington Times.