An immigration reform organization says the Obama administration has done virtually nothing to stem the tide of illegal immigration since taking office in January.
Illegal alien climbing fenceAs President Barack Obama approaches the one-year mark of his presidency, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has released a comprehensive report evaluating what the administration has actually done in its claim to have "restored credibility to immigration enforcement."
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FAIR spokesman Ira Mehlman says if anything, there is less credibility now when it comes to immigration reform. "Not only haven't they done anything, but in fact they have undermined the capacity of this country to enforce its immigration laws," he laments.
"Since taking office they have gutted the worksite enforcement efforts that were begun belatedly under the Bush administration and were actually quite effective in controlling illegal immigration," says Mehlman. "They have reined in local police cooperation by redefining the 287(g) agreement that allowed local police departments to enforce immigration laws.
Ira Mehlman"Every step of the way they have done their level best to undermine the capacity of this country to enforce its immigration laws," he concludes.
In addition, the FAIR report -- titled "The Road to Amnesty" -- criticizes the White House for refusing to back a permanent extension to the E-Verify protections for American workers; and for undermining the REAL ID Act, which it argues would make Americans' ID documents more secure. All told, according to FAIR president Dan Stein, the administration has "consistently placed the interests of illegal aliens and their advocates ahead of those of the American people."
As for the future, Mehlman is skeptical that President Obama is going to hear the will of the American people and reverse his pro-amnesty agenda in 2010.
