Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) introduced a bill Monday that prevents the president from dictating any immigration law or “granting” amnesty.  Specifically, it prevents the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing a presidential executive order as immigration law.  

“Last week, the president decided to grant amnesty and hand out work permits to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, while over 23 million Americans remain unemployed and the civilian participation rate is at a 30-year low. This amounts to an abdication of duty to the American people who are struggling in this economy.

“Instead of working with Congress to secure our border and reform our immigration policy, President Obama sought to circumvent Congress once again.
 
“This thinly veiled political ploy is detrimental to Americans and while President Obama asks the Department of Homeland Security to ‘look the other way’ on immigration policy, I ask him to respect the rule of law,” said Rep. David Schweikert.

BACKGROUND: Under President Obama’s executive order, effective immediately, he can begin halting pending deportation proceedings and grant work permits to illegal immigrants, who are currently ineligible.

However, this bill stops this executive order immediately upon passage and strips the president and the Department of Homeland Security of any ability to grant amnesty or limit the enforcement of our laws, as the president might wish.