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November 26, 2013

Obama Challenged on Deportations in Immigration Speech 
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President Obama continued his public campaign for an immigration reform
bill Monday with a speech in San Francisco. During his remarks, Obama
engaged with an audience member who interrupted him to call for an end
to deportations. What made it unusual was this young man was one of the
people who was chosen to stand behind Obama, so he was almost on mic.
Obama turned around to address him directly.

Protester: "You have the power to stop deportations for all."

President Obama: "Actually. I don’t. And that’s why we’re here ...
The easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something
by violating our laws. And what I’m proposing is the harder path,
which is to use our democratic processes to achieve the same goal that
you want to achieve — but it won’t be as easy as just shouting.
It requires us lobbying and getting it done."

Obama's comments come days after House Speaker John Boehner ruled out a
House vote on immigration reform before the end of the year. In one of
several actions nationwide, activists are now in the third week of a
"Fast for Families" encampment on the National Mall. Participants are on
a hunger strike in a bid to pressure Congress to pass reform.

 

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