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[WedgeX]

Immigration can be a controversial topic. We all want safe, secure borders and a dynamic economy, and people of goodwill can have legitimate disagreements about how to fix our immigration system so that everybody plays by the rules.

But that’s not what the action that the White House took today is about. This is about young people who grew up in America – kids who study in our schools, young adults who are starting careers, patriots who pledge allegiance to our flag. These Dreamers are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper. They were brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants. They may not know a country besides ours. They may not even know a language besides English. They often have no idea they’re undocumented until they apply for a job, or college, or a driver’s license.

Over the years, politicians of both parties have worked together to write legislation that would have told these young people – our young people – that if your parents brought you here as a child, if you’ve been here a certain number of years, and if you’re willing to go to college or serve in our military, then you’ll get a chance to stay and earn your citizenship. And for years while I was President, I asked Congress to send me such a bill.

That bill never came. And because it made no sense to expel talented, driven, patriotic young people from the only country they know solely because of the actions of their parents, my administration acted to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people, so that they could continue to contribute to our communities and our country. We did so based on the well-established legal principle of prosecutorial discretion, deployed by Democratic and Republican presidents alike, because our immigration enforcement agencies have limited resources, and it makes sense to focus those resources on those who come illegally to this country to do us harm. Deportations of criminals went up. Some 800,000 young people stepped forward, met rigorous requirements, and went through background checks. And America grew stronger as a result.

But today, that shadow has been cast over some of our best and brightest young people once again. To target these young people is wrong – because they have done nothing wrong. It is self-defeating – because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love. And it is cruel. What if our kid’s science teacher, or our friendly neighbor turns out to be a Dreamer? Where are we supposed to send her? To a country she doesn’t know or remember, with a language she may not even speak?

Let’s be clear: the action taken today isn’t required legally. It’s a political decision, and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us. They are that pitcher on our kid’s softball team, that first responder who helps out his community after a disaster, that cadet in ROTC who wants nothing more than to wear the uniform of the country that gave him a chance. Kicking them out won’t lower the unemployment rate, or lighten anyone’s taxes, or raise anybody’s wages.

It is precisely because this action is contrary to our spirit, and to common sense, that business leaders, faith leaders, economists, and Americans of all political stripes called on the administration not to do what it did today. And now that the White House has shifted its responsibility for these young people to Congress, it’s up to Members of Congress to protect these young people and our future. I’m heartened by those who’ve suggested that they should. And I join my voice with the majority of Americans who hope they step up and do it with a sense of moral urgency that matches the urgency these young people feel.

Ultimately, this is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be.

What makes us American is not a question of what we look like, or where our names come from, or the way we pray. What makes us American is our fidelity to a set of ideals – that all of us are created equal; that all of us deserve the chance to make of our lives what we will; that all of us share an obligation to stand up, speak out, and secure our most cherished values for the next generation. That’s how America has traveled this far. That’s how, if we keep at it, we will ultimately reach that more perfect union.

Courtesy his Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/posts/10155227588436749

I miss this man in public service.

 

[CountAntonius]

Thanks Obama.

 

[Michael F. Assbender]

This country never deserved such a brilliant Kenyan secret Muslim.

 

[Abstrusity]

Obama third term when?

 

[benicillin]

I'm glad he spoke out, since this was one of the few things he said would actually cause him to break his silence.

 

[Pagusas]

Obama third term when?

When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, when the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before.


Better work on getting pregnant. Global warming and earthquakes should take care of the rest.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

O captain my captain.

 

[Aaron Strife]

Great statement by a great leader.

Fuck every Republican shitting on DACA now because of executive overreach. It was you fuckers' refusal to take up Obama's immigration bills that forced his hand.

 

[Doomsayer]

Going from Obama to Trump is still so fucking jarring, especially in regards to written statements and speeches. Trump can't even structure a coherent sentence and has no grasp on the English language.

I'm glad Obama released this.

 

[Con_Smith]

Shame on those who voted for, and this trash administration. Really fucking sorry hiring a competent black man made a segment of this country really make the rational few of us hold their beer.

 

[slit]

Obama third term when?

When Michelle decides to run.

 

[Dr.Horrible]

That was wonderful. Those words make me be proud to be an American while Trump's do the complete opposite.

 

[ultracal31]

I miss him and he wasn't even my president

It's...just nice to read something that wasn't written by a first grade student

 

[Glix]

Well put, as always, from the greatest president of my lifetime.

 

[JHoNNy1OoO]

I wish he was out there speaking publicly and motivating sane people more often. These aren't normal times.

 

[HvySky]

Sigh.

 

[obijkenobi]

It cant be said enough how much of a downgrade current POTUS is.

 

[sphinx]

Ultimately, this is about basic decency

am I the only one who thinks this right here is a HUGE slap in Trump's Face?

 

[Choppasmith]

That was wonderful. Those words make me be proud to be an American while Trump's do the complete opposite.

Sad to think Trump supporters look at this and would say "Blah blah blah. Get lost Obummer we have a REAL president in charge now. #MAGA"

So embarrassing.

 

[Username1198]

Thanks President Obama, for the 5 years of being out of the shadows, for allowing me to stay, get a job and thrive. I felt like a real American for five years and I will never forget the opportunity you gave me and 800,000 other just like me. History will look back on his act of kindness, and America overall was a better place to live. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I wish him and his family the best. You will go down as one of the greatest presidents ever.

Sincerely, username1198

 

[RustyNails]

O captain my captain.

All the kids with their heads down voted for Gary Johnson and Jill Stein.

 

[Peltz]

Brilliant, compassionate, and eloquent as always.

 

[Muppet of a Man]

Great statement by a great leader.

Fuck every Republican shitting on DACA now because of executive overreach. It was you fuckers' refusal to take up Obama's immigration bills that forced his hand.

This. Obama is such a great dude. Just a really good-hearted, smart, level-headed guy, you know like the kind of person you'd want to run a country.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

All the kids with their heads down voted for Gary Johnson and Jill Stein.

It's true.

 

[Stinkles]

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

 

[Volimar]

And the sad thing is that DACA will never work again. No immigrant in their right mind will step forward and put their name on a list like that again knowing that in four or eight years they can be thrown out of the country on a political whim.

 

[D23]

My President

 

[Username1198]

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

AND Obama uses a Teleprompter LMAO

 

[RoadHazard]

From him to... whatever the fuck is going on now. Truly saddening. How could you, America.

 

[TheSpoiler]

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

You almost got me with this one.

Almost.

 

[MIMIC]

Let’s be clear: the action taken today isn’t required legally. It’s a political decision, and a moral question.

Exactly. This has nothing to do with what's legal and what's not. This is about Trump's callousness and apathy toward anyone not born in the United States.

 

[John Rabbit]

Ultimately, this is about basic decency.

Best line in the entire statement, and the best way to illustrate what the current administration ISN'T providing.

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

As if anyone who actually has this reaction can spell, let alone define or use the word "extemporaneously".

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Epic tweet storm incoming.

 

[shintoki]

Now how can we condense this to 140 letters or less for Trump?

 

[cakely]

I find it hard to believe how much we've regressed as a country.

 

[GK86]

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

You forgot to mention how much of a sissy Obama is. Remember when he shed tears while trying to take the guns away from Americans!? Trump is a man's man.

 

[tedtropy]

Can a certain poorly spelled, likely racist, angry 140-character response be far behind?

 

[MegaManTrigger]

Obama doing that over wordy blah blah blah word salad again. You can say what you want about Donald Trump but he's a far better orator than Obama could ever be. Not fair comparison obviously since Trump is an accomplished TV star and English isn't even Obama's first language but it is a relief to finally have someone in the office who can command and audience and speak extemporaneously.

I was ready to roast you until that last word.

 

[djplaeskool]

am I the only one who thinks this right here is a HUGE slap in Trump's Face?

It's shade in its purest, undultered form.

 

[Dead Prince]

Can a certain poorly spelled, likely racist, angry 140-character response be far behind?

Only if fox say something first

 

[PdotMichael]

A great, a very great statement.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Everything Obama says is so freaking on point.

 

[adamantypants]

I've almost forgotten what eloquence from a leader is like

 

[Aaron Strife]

Now how can we condense this to 140 letters or less for Trump?

Here's 8

"Fuck you"

 

[FullMetaltech]

That's a true gentleman and scholar.

 

[Omegasquash]

Best line in the entire statement, and the best way to illustrate what the current administration ISN'T providing.


As if anyone who actually has this reaction can spell, let alone define or use the word "extemporaneously".

Just 45 giving "his" "audience" what they want. A scapegoated boogeyman that he's attacking, and it won't do a thing for "his" people here. Just empty calories to keep them fat, happy, and addicted to his bullshit.

 

[DietRob]

am I the only one who thinks this right here is a HUGE slap in Trump's Face?

No but it needs to be more clear and direct. Fuck this beating around the bush shit. Every Democrat in every corner of the USA need to come right out and say in plain English that Trump is a shitty person with no political ideals besides undoing anything Obama created.

 

[Ac30]

Only if fox say something first

Tweet after the 7 AM Fox & Friends hot take is gonna be special, I can feel it.

OT, fuck, I miss him so much.

 

[Fancyarcher]

A real gentlemen, and he speaks perfect English unlike our current bozo. I really miss him.

Exactly. This has nothing to do with what's legal and what's not. This is about Trump's callousness and apathy toward anyone not born in the United States.

Nah, more like Trump's callousness towards anyone who doesn't make him rich, which is even worse.

 

[FrontalMonk]

Now how can we condense this to 140 letters or less for Trump?

"Hey Trump, get fucked."

Edit: Aw, beaten.