Sen. Jon Kyl said Monday that President Obama was essentially “doing the right thing” by halting deportation of teens and young adults brought to this country illegally as children — “but doing it the wrong way.”
“In terms of the policy itself, it has a basis in the way that we should probably deal with people who came here under the circumstances that those young people did,” the Arizona Republican told Fox News. And Kyl pointed out that he is working with other senators on something that might actually do the same thing — but doing it legally.
The senator’s comments put him at odds with some members of his own party who have taken a much harsher stance on dealing with those who are here only because their parents made the decision years ago to cross the border illegally or remain after their visas expired. That includes Gov. Jan Brewer who last week panned the entire idea of allowing anyone not here legally to stay — at least not until the border is secure.
But Kyl’s position is probably closer to that of presumptive GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney — or at least, to the one he espoused on Friday in the wake of Obama’s announcement — which is that the issue of all these young people needs to be addressed, albeit in a more permanent fashion. It also comes as the Republican Party is looking ahead toward November and denying Obama some Hispanic support that could prove crucial to the outcome.
The presidential directive said immigration officials should exercise “prosecutorial discretion” and not pursue those who were brought to the country before age 16, have been here at least five years, have not yet turned 30 and be in or have graduated from high school. These deferred prosecutions are good for two years, on a renewable basis, and those who seek that status are eligible for permits to work in this country legally.
Kyl said while the goal is correct, “you have to follow the law.”
“He is supposed to uphold the law,” the senator said. “The laws say that you’re supposed to deport people who are here illegally. They decided unilaterally not to enforce that law.”
But Kyl said he sees something positive coming out of the president’s announcement: the chance for him and two other GOP senators to push their own alternative, one less comprehensive than the DREAM Act that Republicans have blocked in the past.
“(It) provides essentially what the president does with the additional very important protection,” he said. “Instead of just deferring deportation, it would actually give these people a legal status.”
Kyl said the plan, which has yet to be reduced to paper, would allow those in the same general group as the president’s order to remain in this country. But he said that it is not “amnesty,” a label he and other Republicans have placed on the DREAM Act because that would provide those eligible with an eventual path to citizenship.
This plan, being pushed with Marco Rubio of Florida and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, would bar anyone who gets to stay legally from actually seeking citizenship for 10 years.
“You would have a legal status in the country, you couldn’t be sent anywhere else,” Kyl said.
“You could be a productive member of our society,” he continued. “And after 10 years, depending upon your circumstance, if the law then allowed it, you could seek citizenship.”
The chances of getting that plan through the Senate, however, remain in doubt as Democrats still control that chamber. And Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday he intends to push for adoption of the full DREAM Act.
That same fate is likely to befall separate proposals by Arizona Republican Reps. Ben Quayle and David Schweikert — who happen to be running against each other this year for a redrawn congressional district — to have Congress overrule the president’s directive, given Democratic control of the Senate.
Rational Human posted at 11:41 am on Fri, Jun 22, 2012.
Yes, Americans will take those jobs if we make them available by deporting millions of illegal aliens currently holding them and defund the many social programs that make it easy to live without working for a living. Employers couldn't get away with the same slave practices against legal Americans.
That fence you speak of isn't needed. Obviously you aren't as informed as you think. The American Border Patrol has an electronic motion detection system that is very effective and can even detect low flying aircraft and tunneling that could end illegal entry into America for good but wont use it.
informedVoter posted at 4:56 pm on Wed, Jun 20, 2012.
Even though since 2009, the annual average number of deportations has approached 400,000, 30% higher than any year under Bush, we desperately need to build that massive, electrified, with winged sharks equipped with lasers on their heads, fence.
It is a must! We don't need a solution that aids a fast, path to citizenship. Don't you realize that there are so many Americans just ready to take over those dish washing, lawn trimming, ditch digging, below minimum wage jobs?
Rational Human posted at 9:21 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Hey Mike, how many illegal aliens can you fit inside a drip? Is that a technical term or a way of hiding the numbers?
Rational Human posted at 9:18 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Why are we even talking about any form of amnesty until the borders are secured? If you want these people given amnesty you have to do two things first. First you need to effectively secure the border so that no one can enter undetected. That IS feasible even though some will still try to push the myth that it's impossible. Second you need to remove the illegal aliens that are here now by cutting off all jobs and social services so that they self deport. It can easily be done. Until these people start doing what the people want we should all demand that no amnesty be given to anyone, regardless of whether or not they deserve it.
Mike McClellan posted at 3:33 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Interesting that Kyl believes this is the proper act but the wrong method. Just a year ago, the Senate introduced another bill almost identical to what Obama did -- and guess what? Kyl opposed the bill.
In 2010, the Democratic House passed the Dream Act, but it was filibustered in the Senate by two Republicans.
This is hilarious -- the Obama administration tried three times to pass the bill through Congress, and each time was stymied by Republicans, including Sen. Kyl at least one time.
Illegal immigration to the U.S. has dropped to a drip, enforcement is the best its been in our history, more drones are being employed along the border to improve interdiction, Obama deported more people in one year than Bush did in his entire term, and some Republicans (including Kyl in 2011) say we need better border enforcement?
Like what, Sen. Kyl?
Sure, President Obama's been playing politics here. But don't let the Republicans off easy -- if Sen. Kyl believes this is the proper act, he could've voted for it at least twice in the last two years.
vrsicks posted at 3:03 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
@ Juggernaut8000
By your measuring stick, the worst is already behind us.
American Socialist posted at 2:54 pm on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Lol...what a Joke, all these righties are all the suden pro immigration since the polls show a positive response from Obama's decision.
So lets see here, a couple weeks ago the republican tune it was...throw em' all out. Now they've all flip floped on it.
Republicans pretty much just say whatever to get elected, no plans, no soultions....just BS.
chatmandu002 posted at 11:55 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Obama's "Dream Act Lite" was just a ploy to get votes. Any chance of a compromise solution through congress is now dead. Sen Rubio has pulled his plan. Obama just keeps on doing the wrong things over and over again.
The rush for the border will soon be in full force with counterfeit "proper papers" available for sale on every corner between here and Mexico City. Just fill in the blanks and you can get a "work permit" card courtesy of our Campaigner-in-Chief.
Arizona Willie posted at 8:06 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Leon, you should know very well that there are different branches of the Republican Party.
One branch, with Arpaio, believes in enforcing our laws.
Another branch, with Kyle and many others, believes in MONEY.
Businesses ( mostly owned by Republicans ) want illegal labor to increase their profits.
Business ( MONEY ) ALWAYS gets what it wants.
That is the whole explanation.
Many Republicans are quite willing to sell out American workers because business that gives them campaign contributions wants illegal labor.
They disguise it as sympathy for the poor unfortunate people who just come trying to get a better life for their families.
Bank robbers and counterfeiters are just trying to get a better life too.
Arizona Willie posted at 8:02 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
These kids may or may not have know they were crossing the border illegally. They may or may not have had much of a choice about it.
But, they have been here for years and have not done one single thing to start the process of becoming legal.
They are ways for them to try legally to become citizens or achieve permanent resident status.
But they have not bothered.
But they have plenty of time to march in the streets flying the Mexican flag and DEMANDING " rights ".
Every single one of them and their parents should be deported.
THEN they can get in line to come here legally just like everyone else instead of being rewarded for being border jumpers.
Thousands of people come here legally every year.
They fill out the paper work and pay the fees and wait their turns.
Why should hispanics get preferential treatment for violating our laws?
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:21 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
Arizona's US Senator Jon Kyle said that Obama was "doing the right thing". No Senator Kyle, Democrat President Obama was doing the "left" thing. But, how would you know anyway?
US Senator Jon Kyle, US Senator John McCain, US Congressman Jeff Flake and ex-US Congressman Matt Salmon are right there in lock-step with President Obama and the Democrats...............PIMPING AWAY AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR THE HISPANIC VOTE.
The Republicans of Arizona call Kyl, McCain, Flake and Salmon another name.
R.I.N.O. = Republicans In Name Only.
In the War of 1812 = DID WE ALLOW CANADIANS TO INVADE AMERICA?
In the War with Mexico = DID WE ALLOW MEXICO TO INVADE AMERICA?
In the Spanish-American War = DID WE ALLOW SPAIN TO INVADE AMERICA?
In World War II = DID WE ALLOW JAPAN, GERMANY OR THE OTHER AXIS NATIONS TO INVADE AMERICA?
In the Korean Conflict = DID WE ALLOW NORTH KOREA TO INVADE AMERICA?
In the Vietnam Conflict = DID WE ALLOW THE VIET CONG/NORTH VIETNAMESE TO INVADE AMERICA?
THE ANSWER TO ALL THE ABOVE QUESTIONS IS NO.......THEN WHY ARE SENATOR JON KYL, SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, CONGRESSMAN JEFF FLAKE AND WANNA-BE CONGRESSMAN MATT SALMON.........ALLOWING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF ............ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM MEXICO, GUATAMALA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR AND EVERY ONE ELSE...........TO INVADE AMERICA NOW ???
QUITE POSSIBLY, GEORGE WASHINGTON, BEN FRANKLIN, JEFFERSON, ADAMS, AND THE OTHER FOUNDING FATHERS AND SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IF THEY WERE ALIVE TODAY..........WOULD HAVE ANOTHER NAME OTHER THAN "R.I.N.O." FOR THESE PEOPLE................AND IT WOULD BEGIN WITH THE LETTER ......"T".
Juggernaut8000 posted at 6:17 am on Tue, Jun 19, 2012.
When our elected 'leaders' are even talking about providing benefits to people who are not even American citizens, the game is over and prepare for the worst.