Obama’s State Of The Union Address: Amnesty, Dream Act, Three Million Jobs (For Foreigners) And Republican Complicity
01/25/2012
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You can watch Obama’s full enhanced State Of The Union address here, or read the text here, but what you need to know is that he’s come out for both amnesty and the Dream Act, which, as people in the media are not remarking, totally contradicts everything he’s said about more jobs for Americans.

“I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration.  That’s why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before.  That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office.  The opponents of action are out of excuses.  We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now.  (Applause.)

But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country.  Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship.  I will sign it right away.  (Applause.)

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country.  That means women should earn equal pay for equal work.  (Applause.)  It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.”

Roy Beck writes

“Compared to the heavy-metal terror I used to feel listening to Pres. Bush's State of the Union immigration appeals, Pres. Obama's obligatory immigration section tonight was easy-listening music.  The verses and chorus pushing for amnesties for illegal aliens were nearly identical to last year's speech and just didn't sound like he had a thought in the world that any of it could happen. 

What really galled me, though, was Pres. Obama bragging about more than 3 million U.S. jobs created during the last 22 months. 

That could have been good news for unemployed Americans.  But during that same period, the Obama Administration issued more than 3 million work visas to new immigrants and other foreign workers (more than half of them permanent). 

What is the point of all that talk in the speech about creating jobs when the federal government is importing so many new workers? Although the number of work permits issued is primarily controlled by Congress, Pres. Obama could be asking for reductions to give relief to all those Americans who have been unemployed for such long periods. He said nothing. And he gave no sign tonight of having the slightest interest in how immigration affects the labor market.  In fact, he called again for "comprehensive immigration reform."  All bills with that name have included big increases over the already-bloated immigration numbers.”

Of course, as Beck goes on to point out, the legal immigration numbers aren’t really the fault of the President, they’re the fault of John Boehner and the Republican-controlled Congress. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels's  Republican response doesn’t mention immigration at all.

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