Politicians throughout Wisconsin reacted Thursday to President Barack Obama’s televised announcement of his plan to issue an executive order on immigration reform.
Obama’s plan has three central components, he said in the speech. He will allocate additional resources to law enforcement at the borders, make it easier for high-skilled legal immigrants to stay and “deal responsibly with” the illegal immigrants already in the country.
Obama said illegal immigrants who have been in this country for more than five years or have children who are legal residents can apply to stay in the country temporarily, pending a criminal background check.
Many Wisconsin politicians came out in support of Obama’s decision. State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, said she believes it can create an economic boon.
“I believe the president’s plan will make our communities safer by bringing undocumented individuals out of the shadows and bolster the strength of our economy in key sectors such as agriculture,” Zamarripa said in a statement.
Others, such as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., came out with more restrained support. Pocan approved of the policy but not the implementation.
“I am proud the President has followed through on his promise to address our nation’s broken immigration system,” Pocan said in a statement. “However, I would have preferred Congress debate and pass the Senate’s bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill.”
Other politicians vehemently attacked the unilateral decision.
“While the president stands for lawlessness, we stand for upholding the rule of law and keeping Americans safe,” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called the action legally suspect and criticized the president for not cooperating with Congress.
“The President has refused to work with us; instead, he’s chosen to go it alone,” Ryan said in a statement.
Obama issued a direct challenge to these criticisms: overcome gridlock and “pass a bill.” Representatives from Wisconsin said they are already mobilizing to do so.
“I have already begun working with my colleagues on a border security and enforcement bill and will work quickly to address this issue,” Johnson said in a statement. “It is well past time to finally secure our borders.”
