In 1986, President Ronald Reagan passed into law the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, which issued a sweeping but controversial amnesty admittance to illegal immigrants within the country, with the intent to end the flow of illegal immigration. Thirty-one years later, the number of illegal immigrants has increased from an approximate five million in 1986 to eleven million today. Without any ambiguity, it is safe to say, the Immigration Reform and Control Act failed in its goals. There are now more illegal immigrants in the country than there were in the 1980s by almost a tenfold. Since the Presidency of Ronald Reagan the number of illegal immigrants has increased, but tolerance from sympathizers of the Reagan revolution towards immigration has evaporated, captured in its particles and shot lightyears away from Earth into the darkness and solitude of space.
The party that once supported amnesty is now reluctant to participate in any bipartisan effort to help even the most bright of immigrants; Dreamers. Adults now, who came into this country as a children, possessing no experience whatsoever of their previous land of origin. The only land they know and desire to live upon is the United States of America, they have done so successfully as law abiding residents thus far but unfortunately due to the Obama-era protections removed by President Trump these Americans lives could be ruined because of countering political beliefs. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an executive policy directed by then President Barack Obama, rather than a legislative one. If DACA was created by a President through an executive order, it can be removed by a President through executive order and in this case, that is exactly what Donald Trump did.
Nearly 800,000 immigrants whom were protected under DACA, and entered the country as children will be eligible for deportation. Jeff Sessions the Attorney General said in a statement that DACA “denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same illegal aliens to take those jobs.” The Trump’s administration main claim to removing DACA was one over the legality of the program, Donald Trump stating in a tweet, “Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA!” Democrats in Congress tried fighting the President’s removal of DACA by passing a continuing resolution, later it was found that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed on a deal to pass a continuing resolution but unfortunately without any plans to continue funding DACA, leaving it dead in its tracks. Senator Schumer in a speech afterwards, warned Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor “to keep his promise to take up immigration reform legislation before February 8.” It is now March 12, a whole month later and efforts to protect DREAMers have faded into mist, Democrats compromised and at every turn failed to protect DREAMers, whom they say are vowed to protect in almost every speech before Congress.
What does the Democratic Party stand for now? The party that was for the people, is now the party of the rich and powerful, bought and paid for. Democrats say this is not the case, they tip toe and dodge, stating they fight for us. But who is us? Who do the Democrats refer to when they go before the floors presiding officer and give a speech about their fighting efforts against Republican gridlock. Because they aren’t fighting for you, or me, and what was proven beyond reasonable doubt is that they’re definitely not fighting for DREAMers.