Republicans are howling that what the President did was political. Hell, anything a President does is political, because he is the nation's chief politicians.
But let's be clear about something.
The approximately 800,000 young people who will have a somewhat regularized status under this executive order will not be able to vote - they not only are not citizens, they are not under this plan yet legal residents. But they are allowed to have an ongoing status that allows them to come out of the shadows. There is no DIRECT political gain from them for the President.
Their families are, by definition, undocumented aliens. The adults who brought them here have not had their status changed. There is no DIRECT political gain from them for the President, since they cannot vote.
There is real gain in other ways - more students who can legally attend college; more talented young people who gain be productive members of the economy, earning real wages from which social security and medicare are deducted - EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT EARNING THE RIGHT TO DRAW SOCIAL SECURITY OR MEDICARE.
Is there political gain for the President from others? Hell yes, and not just those of Hispanic background who are citizens or legal residents - you do not get 60% of the American people approving something with just Hispanics, even including all those who are undocumented.
Ultimately doing the right things is not only good policy, it is good politics.
MOST American people believe in treating people fairly. This policy treats young people fairly.
Oh, and in case the Republicans keep shopping the hogwash that the PResident should have addressed immigration in regular order through the Congress while he had majorities in both bodies? He did, he tried, it passed the House, it had a majority in the Senate but the Republicans killed it by threatening a filibuster and it did not have the 60 votes necessary for cloture. A minority of the Senate prevented the clear will of the Congress and of the American people from being accomplished by ordinary legislation.
If the Republicans want to continue to be obstructionist, the President should use the inherent powers of the executive branch to do the work of the American people.
Just a few thoughts from a former teacher, some of whose students will be affected by this decision for the better, for them and for all of us.
Peace.