Congressman Lt. Col. Allen West on Obama Amnesty Policy

June 15, 2012

Dear Patriot,


Greetings to our Constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans.

As I am writing this today, I really cannot believe that President Barack Obama and his administration have failed to grasp the three fundamental premises of our Constitutional Republic: representative democracy, limited government, and separation of powers (recognizing the maxim of co-equality of branches of the Federal Government).

I say that because Friday we received another surprise from the Obama Administration. At around 9:30 am, my BlackBerry buzzed as I was wrapping up speaking to the Palm Beach business forum. Once outside, I checked my messages to find, to my absolute amazement, that Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, would be announcing, effective immediately, that certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children (who do not present a risk to national security or public safety and meet several key criteria) will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings.

There were five criteria given:

1) Came to the United States under the age of 16;
2) Have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years;

3) Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; (I find this rather confusing as one cannot join and have an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard or Armed Services as an illegal immigrant)
4) Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
5) Are not above the age of thirty.

This is yet another example of Executive Branch overreach. We have a legislative process that ensures representative governance by the consent of the American people. This action should be crafted into legislation, debated in committee and brought before the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for vote, in accordance with the process in our Constitutional Republic. Secretary Napolitano is an unelected administrative bureaucrat who does not have the right to make governing decisions for this country.

It is apparent that the goal of the Obama Administration is not to govern, but to rule by edict, or executive order, particularly as November draws near.

I do find it ironic that Secretary Napolitano would not assist our State of Florida with ensuring the integrity of the voting process, but is happy to implement a decision about who can reside in America.

Furthermore, where are the details about how the American economy is going to handle this influx of people? There are currently more than 23 million Americans who are unemployed, underemployed, or just discouraged and no longer accounted for. How will this affect the employment situation in our country, as this policy introduces new competition with Americans for jobs? Will there be any analysis of the economic impact for the American taxpayers who will have to carry this burden? What are the increased demands on additional guaranteed services and will they be guaranteed government benefits? These are the kinds of details that are to be hammered out during the legislative process, and appear to be completely overlooked by the Obama Administration.

Finally, will these young people be allowed to petition for immunity for their illegal immigrant parents as well?


Our constitutional republic was created so one branch of government could not run roughshod over another. If President Obama does not like a certain policy, he must bring the debate to the United States Congress, not attempt to impose it on the country unilaterally. If the American people, through their representative government, reject the DREAM Act, it is not within the enumerated rights of the President to then enact the policy by Executive Order. If that becomes the case, then why have a House of Representatives and a U.S. Senate? There would no longer be any separation of powers, and certainly the Executive Branch would not have any limit in exerting its power.

This decision is not just about relaxing rules or laws for young illegal immigrants, it is about the respect of the foundational principles and values of America, a Constitutional Republic. The precedent established is dangerous and the overreach threatens the fabric of our Nation.

This policy is wrong. If this Administration continues to make decisions without the consent of the governed, the governed always have the ability to rescind their consent.

Steadfast and Loyal,
Allen B. West