Immigration policy needs to be reformed.
Democrats favor reform, as do reasonable Republicans. The outliers appear to be the tea party wing of the GOP, which appears to be calling the shots within the Republican caucus.
The question now is whether President Obama will take executive action to institute reforms during the lame-duck session of Congress. As much as the tea party — aka nut case — wing of the GOP angers me, I think the president should wait just a while longer before taking unilateral action.
Fox News reports Obama might take action next week.
It is sure to enrage Republicans, who already are loaded for bear in the wake of their stunning election victories on Nov. 4.
Obama is said to be considering a 10-point plan that includes deferment of deportation for 4.5 million illegal immigrants; it also includes a pay increase for Immigration and Naturalization Service employees.
Here’s a thought: Wait for the new Congress to take office; enlist some congressional allies to put forward your legislative proposals; debate it with Congress; let the Republicans have their say along with Democrats.
Then, if nothing gets done, drop the executive action hammer.
This is a fight worth waging … but when the time is right.