Local lawmakers react to Obama's immigration speech
"Unfortunately, the President used today's trip to try and sell Tennesseans on his unlawful executive orders -- orders even he once said would violate our laws. We owe it to the American people to secure our borders, and those waiting to legally enter the country, to enforce the current immigration laws before we make any radical changes. While the President claimed, after the election, that he heard the American people, it's clear he has not. This is just another example of the President failing to lead, and instead, taking his own path and ignoring the will of the people."-- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann"The President continues to ignore or gloss over the fact that we already have very detailed immigration laws on the books, and no President has the right or the power to pick and choose which ones to enforce. This latest executive order will encourage many millions more to come here, illegally if necessary, as President Obama himself said in 2010. The American people are the kindest, most generous people in the world. We have allowed many millions to immigrate here legally over the last 25 or 30 years, far more than any other nation. But our entire infrastructure--our schools, hospitals, jails, roads, sewers, etc. -- just could not handle the mega-millions who would come here in the next few years if we simply opened our borders. We must have a legal, orderly immigration system, and it must be enforced."-- Rep. John J. Duncan Jr."While I am sure this scripted event in Nashville will attempt to present the president in the best possible light, I would encourage him to travel a few miles to the south to Tennessee's Fourth Congressional District and speak with real folks from all walks of life who continue to voice their concerns over his unilateral action on immigration. Although President Obama might wish otherwise, our Constitution does not give him the authority to circumvent Congress simply because existing laws conflict with his particular ideology. Fortunately, Congress maintains the power of the purse and it is incumbent upon us to use this power to put a stop to this flagrant usurpation of power."-- Rep. Scott DesJarlais"I was disappointed to hear more partisan rhetoric from the president as he spoke in Tennessee today. We can -- and should -- take steps to reform the immigration process, starting with fully securing the border. But the president's attempt to rewrite immigration law from the Oval Office is the wrong solution, not to mention a slap in the face to every naturalized citizen that waited in line to live in this country. Right now we have an opportunity to make changes to our immigration system to help future generations. Rather than repeating past mistakes and kicking the can down the road, we need to implement real reform, but President Obama's 'plan' is about the furthest thing from a long-term solution possible."-- Rep. Phil Roe
ASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday tried to reassure immigrants that if they register under his new executive action they won't be a priority for deportation in the future, while acknowledging another president could undo it all.
Obama heard from several participants in an hourlong town hall at an immigrant community center that they are fearful to give their information to the government. One young woman asked Obama what would happen to them if the next president ends the program.
Obama said although the assurance they won't be deported is temporary, he's confident they will be able to stay in the United States with their children.
"It's true that a future administration might try to reverse some of our policies," Obama said. "But I'll be honest with you, I think that the American people basically have a good heart and want to treat people fairly.
"I think any future administration that tried to punish people for doing the right thing would not have the support of the American people," he said.
He said giving people the confidence they can register will be an important part of the program's success.
Obama recently used his executive authority to extend deportation relief and work permits to some 4 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally. His action would affect those who have been here more than five years and have children.
Obama argued that immigration can help boost the economy, and to drive home the point he later picked up dinner to go at La Hacienda Taqueria. The White House said the business started out as a small taco stand in 1993 and now is a successful family-run restaurant and market.
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who did not attend Obama's event, said the current immigration system isn't working, but Obama should have worked with lawmakers on a solution instead of taking executive action.
"I think this was kind of rolling a hand grenade in room and blew up the possibility for a good discussion that we should have had, and that long term it will be harmful to really solving the immigration situation," Haslam told reporters after a speech to the Farm Bureau in Franklin, Tennessee.
Obama said Americans may not think about Nashville as a gateway to America, but noted that the city has one of the nation's fastest-growing immigrant communities and is home to the largest Kurdish population in the U.S. "They are us," Obama said. And, he added: "They make the food better."
Obama said he recognizes it will be hard to convince some Republicans to work with him on immigration. "They're pretty sure I'm an illegal immigrant," Obama said, pausing before adding: "That was a joke."