If in fact, President Trump’s power to pardon anyone is absolute, then he should step up to the plate and pardon all the Dreamers. Prove to the world he is not a racist and that he possesses genuine compassion for people who want to Make America Great by living and contributing to the American Dream.
On behalf of all the Dreamers who came to this country as minors, we the people, request a full pardon by the President of the United States for the Federal crime of entering the United States without proper documentation or permission either wittingly or unwittingly.
The DOJ instructs all petitioners that a presidential pardon:
“Is ordinarily a sign of forgiveness and is granted in recognition of the applicant's acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or release from confinement. A pardon is not a sign of vindication and does not connote or establish innocence. For that reason, when considering the merits of a pardon petition, pardon officials take into account the petitioner's acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and atonement for the offense.”
By granting a pardon to the dreamers, none of them can be deported for illegally entering the country. It does not make them citizens but grants them amnesty. It would an undertaking by the President to take no action against specified offenses or offenders during a fixed period.
It would be up to Congress to provide a path to citizenship for the Dreamers. Until then, the Dreamers would remain in the country as Stateless Individuals. Stateless means they would not be recognized as a citizen of any country. They would be protected by the Constitution and subject to our laws, just as anyone visiting the United States. The only difference is they can stay as long as they wish, go to school and obtain work permits. They would not be eligible to vote, receive public assistance, pay into or receive social security benefits or obtain US passports. They would have to obtain private health insurance, an international driver’s license and insurance and some other restrictions.
Congress could solve the problem by declaring all the Dreamers as being born in the District of Columbia and allowing them to register their births. If this was accomplished the Dreamers would all become US Citizens with full rights and the ability to live as Americans. It is a simple solution to a humanitarian situation and shows the world we champion human rights.
It is time for President Trump to put up or shut up about being the President of all the people. He needs to show the Arpaio’s pardon wasn’t just him giving a loyal supporter, who intentionally targeted Latinos, a free pass.