A Showdown on Immigration Appears Likely   ...1 of 1 >
Nov. 7, 2014 - Three days after the mid-term elections, a group of immigrants organized by Casa de Maryland rallied outside the White House to urge President Obama to take administrative action to provide relief to families and workers and stop deportations. 

This same afternoon Obama met with congressional leaders to discuss "their priorities for the next few months and what they think can be accomplished on a bipartisan basis in the new year." According to the White House readout of the meeting, "The President reiterated his commitment to taking action on immigration reform in light of the House's inability to pass a comprehensive bill."

However, House Speaker John Boehner has issued very clear warnings against unilateral action.  Yesterday at a news conference he stated, “I’ve made clear to the president that if he acts unilaterally, on his own, outside of his authority, he will poison the well, and there will be no chance of immigration reform moving in this Congress.  It is as simple as that."  The Speaker's readout of today's meeting reiterates the point: "The Speaker warned that unilateral action by the president on executive amnesty will erase any chances of doing immigration reform and will also make it harder for Congress and the White House to work together successfully on other areas where there might otherwise be common ground. 
Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland, speaks to reporters.
A group of people fasting in Lafayette Park.  ("Dreamers Mom's Fasting for 11 Million - Day 5")

Nov. 5, 2014 PRESS RELEASE from Casa de Maryland

After Election, Hundreds of Immigrant Families Rally at White House to Demand Relief

This Friday, immigrants will take their battle back to the White House as hundreds of families gather to demand the President provide immediate administrative relief covering the broadest number of Aspiring Americans.

“Particularly in light of this critical juncture on the future of our country, the President must act decisively, broadly, and quickly,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA.  “Administrative relief must include all workers and parents – regardless of their years in the United States – that make up the American family.”

Immigrants are upping the stakes now that the election is over.  Earlier this June, the President had stated that he would grant administrative relief by the end of the summer because Congress had failed to solve the immigration crisis.  He subsequently announced that he would again delay relief until after the elections and provided an indefinite timeline of when, if at all, an announcement would be forthcoming, creating instability for millions of families. Election observers now agree that this lopsided analysis hurt rather than helped the President’s party during yesterday’s election.  CNN polling of voters across the country yesterday, including in key battleground states, showed that voters yesterday support offering legal status to the undocumented 59% to 38%.

Speakers at Friday’s press conference and rally will include several dozen impacted immigrant families and workers who have made this country their permanent home and should be included in a relief that is wide and deep.

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