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Beto O’Rourke Proposes Immigration Overhaul That Would Undo Trump Policies Beto O’Rourke Proposes Immigration Overhaul That Would Undo Trump Policies
(about 4 hours later)
Beto O’Rourke released a broad immigration plan on Wednesday, pledging that as president he would immediately end several Trump administration border policies through executive action, offer protection from deportation to thousands of immigrants whose status in the United States is in limbo, and pass legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants in the country without permission.Beto O’Rourke released a broad immigration plan on Wednesday, pledging that as president he would immediately end several Trump administration border policies through executive action, offer protection from deportation to thousands of immigrants whose status in the United States is in limbo, and pass legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants in the country without permission.
In unveiling his proposal, Mr. O’Rourke, a former Texas congressman who is seeking the Democratic nomination, leaned on his ties to El Paso, interspersing a nine-page policy paper with testimonials from immigrants who hail from that diverse community.In unveiling his proposal, Mr. O’Rourke, a former Texas congressman who is seeking the Democratic nomination, leaned on his ties to El Paso, interspersing a nine-page policy paper with testimonials from immigrants who hail from that diverse community.
The immigration plan is the second major policy proposal issued by Mr. O’Rourke’s presidential campaign — he released a $5 trillion plan to combat climate change last month — and takes on the issue that President Trump placed at the center of his 2016 bid.The immigration plan is the second major policy proposal issued by Mr. O’Rourke’s presidential campaign — he released a $5 trillion plan to combat climate change last month — and takes on the issue that President Trump placed at the center of his 2016 bid.
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“Coming from a city of immigrants, I’ve seen the incredible contributions of immigrants to our communities and local economies, and have been able to experience what happens when we allow everyone to contribute to their full potential,” Mr. O’Rourke said in a statement announcing the plan. “Under our administration, we will ensure that we advance a new vision of immigration that fully reflects our country’s values and empowers every individual to contribute to the shared greatness of our country.”“Coming from a city of immigrants, I’ve seen the incredible contributions of immigrants to our communities and local economies, and have been able to experience what happens when we allow everyone to contribute to their full potential,” Mr. O’Rourke said in a statement announcing the plan. “Under our administration, we will ensure that we advance a new vision of immigration that fully reflects our country’s values and empowers every individual to contribute to the shared greatness of our country.”
Mr. O’Rourke’s proposal, which also seeks to strengthen ties between the United States and Latin America, is only the second detailed immigration plan put forth by a Democratic candidate this year. Julián Castro, another Texas politician seeking the nomination, also included three prongs in his immigration proposal that focused on the border, the immigration system and Latin America.Mr. O’Rourke’s proposal, which also seeks to strengthen ties between the United States and Latin America, is only the second detailed immigration plan put forth by a Democratic candidate this year. Julián Castro, another Texas politician seeking the nomination, also included three prongs in his immigration proposal that focused on the border, the immigration system and Latin America.
Mr. O’Rourke drew a contrast between his ideas and what he called “cruel and cynical” immigration policies enacted by the Trump administration, including family separations, travel bans and increased detentions and deportations.Mr. O’Rourke drew a contrast between his ideas and what he called “cruel and cynical” immigration policies enacted by the Trump administration, including family separations, travel bans and increased detentions and deportations.
On the first day of his presidency, Mr. O’Rourke said, he would issue an executive order that would require detention only for undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. He also said he would eliminate all funding for private, for-profit prison operators, which house many of the detainees currently held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.On the first day of his presidency, Mr. O’Rourke said, he would issue an executive order that would require detention only for undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. He also said he would eliminate all funding for private, for-profit prison operators, which house many of the detainees currently held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under his plan, Mr. O’Rourke would also increase staffing in the asylum system and overhaul the immigration court system, including by making the courts operate independently, instead of under the Justice Department.Under his plan, Mr. O’Rourke would also increase staffing in the asylum system and overhaul the immigration court system, including by making the courts operate independently, instead of under the Justice Department.
And he vowed to “remove the fear of deportation” for immigrants who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, as well as those who remain in the country under the Temporary Protected Status program. The Trump administration has sought to end protections for many of those immigrants, but Mr. O’Rourke’s plan said he would “begin work towards a permanent legislative solution” for people who are part of those programs.And he vowed to “remove the fear of deportation” for immigrants who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, as well as those who remain in the country under the Temporary Protected Status program. The Trump administration has sought to end protections for many of those immigrants, but Mr. O’Rourke’s plan said he would “begin work towards a permanent legislative solution” for people who are part of those programs.
It is not clear whether Mr. O’Rourke would be able to get Congress to agree to a sweeping rewrite of the country’s immigration and naturalization laws, but he pledged to use his first 100 days in office to push for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, increase visas and make the naturalization process easier for the nearly nine million immigrants who are currently eligible for citizenship.It is not clear whether Mr. O’Rourke would be able to get Congress to agree to a sweeping rewrite of the country’s immigration and naturalization laws, but he pledged to use his first 100 days in office to push for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, increase visas and make the naturalization process easier for the nearly nine million immigrants who are currently eligible for citizenship.
At the same time, Mr. O’Rourke argued for bolstered security and infrastructure at parts of the border where trade and travel occur. But he vowed to suspend construction of and cancel funding for Mr. Trump’s proposed border wall. Mr. O’Rourke has often pointed to El Paso, which borders Mexico and is one of the safer cities of its size in the United States, to argue that a wall is unnecessary.At the same time, Mr. O’Rourke argued for bolstered security and infrastructure at parts of the border where trade and travel occur. But he vowed to suspend construction of and cancel funding for Mr. Trump’s proposed border wall. Mr. O’Rourke has often pointed to El Paso, which borders Mexico and is one of the safer cities of its size in the United States, to argue that a wall is unnecessary.
And while he called for increased accountability for ICE, he did not suggest abolishing the agency. He also said the country should address visa overstays through better tracking systems to ensure “we remain a nation of laws.”And while he called for increased accountability for ICE, he did not suggest abolishing the agency. He also said the country should address visa overstays through better tracking systems to ensure “we remain a nation of laws.”
Mr. O’Rourke’s plan seeks a $5 billion investment in Latin America aimed at “reversing the instability that drives forced migration,” which would be mostly funneled through nongovernmental organizations, community groups and public-private partnerships. The plan also calls for the formation of a regional alliance “dedicated to creating stability and economic prosperity.”Mr. O’Rourke’s plan seeks a $5 billion investment in Latin America aimed at “reversing the instability that drives forced migration,” which would be mostly funneled through nongovernmental organizations, community groups and public-private partnerships. The plan also calls for the formation of a regional alliance “dedicated to creating stability and economic prosperity.”
Ali Noorani, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum, an immigration advocacy organization, said Mr. O’Rourke’s plan “seems to cover all the bases,” but he was particularly interested in its focus on border security and Latin America.Ali Noorani, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum, an immigration advocacy organization, said Mr. O’Rourke’s plan “seems to cover all the bases,” but he was particularly interested in its focus on border security and Latin America.
“The assumption is the Democrats are against the idea of immigration enforcement,” so it was important that Mr. O’Rourke clearly stated otherwise, Mr. Noorani said. “Democrats need to put forward plans that look beyond the Democratic base,” he said.“The assumption is the Democrats are against the idea of immigration enforcement,” so it was important that Mr. O’Rourke clearly stated otherwise, Mr. Noorani said. “Democrats need to put forward plans that look beyond the Democratic base,” he said.
“To have foreign policy as a component of an immigration policy plan is a productive step forward,” Mr. Noorani added. “Americans understand that immigration represents a set of complicated problems and they are looking for complicated solutions.”“To have foreign policy as a component of an immigration policy plan is a productive step forward,” Mr. Noorani added. “Americans understand that immigration represents a set of complicated problems and they are looking for complicated solutions.”