Executive Action on Immigration
Yesterday, Kamala Harris released a set of proposed executive actions she will take to shield up to 6 million undocumented immigrants (out of about 11 million current undocumented immigrants in the United States) from deportation. This would be a dramatic escalation in the use of deferred action to protect undocumented immigrants — currently about 700 thousand Dreamers have DACA protection. Further, Kamala’s set of executive actions would provide a pathway to citizenship for up to 2 million Dreamers. Read her plan here.
Kamala spoke about her proposed executive actions last night on All In:
Kamala’s proposal would
- reinstate and expand DACA to more undocumented immigrants
- extend deferred action for parents, siblings, other family members of Dreamers
- put in place a rule to allow Dreamers to be formally admitted to the US
- retroactively give work authorization to Dreamers who may currently be in violation of work authorization rules
- direct the DHS to consider separation from a close loved one to be an “extreme hardship” which would allow Dreamers to return immediately to the US if they leave the country (for example to apply at an embassy for a green card). Current rules potentially would require them to wait years before they could re-enter.
Kamala’s proposal is also explicit in the need for a modern immigration reform law that would include a pathway to citizenship for the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants and her proposed executive actions are a bridge to when congress can pass such immigration reform.
Kamala’s team poured over caselaw and immigration law to find mechanisms in existing law that would allow her to take these actions as president and they feel confident that these actions would hold up under legal scrutiny.
Immigration advocates praised the plan and noted that it broke new ground and was a creative and legal use of executive authority.
“It’s a bold move on her part,” said David Leopold, a prominent immigration lawyer who consulted on the plan for the Harris campaign without pay. “What I like about this very much is that it’s all founded in the statute … She’s going to use executive action in a way that is unassailable in the courts.”
Kamala’s policy proposals have often included additional executive actions she can take in place of, or in addition to, legislative reforms. This is by design — Kamala is preparing to do battle against a congress where Mitch McConnell, if he is still Senate Majority Leader, has promised to kill all progressive legislation.
Matt Yglesias wrote about this dynamic in April:
If you’re wondering what Kamala’s slogan #ForThePeople means, it’s clear that she means plans that lift burdens from the marginalized and plans that the executive branch can implement even if Mitch McConnell is blocking congressional action.
NPR Podcast
Kamala was featured yesterday on the latest episode of NPR’s Politics Podcast
Some of the things she talked about in the podcast (and there were more — it’s an intriguing half hour) included why she spends so much time on the trail talking to young people, especially girls. A theme that has characterized Kamala’s campaigns going back to her first in 2003.
For example, an interaction Kamala had in April with a New Hampshire girl who asked her about public speaking:
Kamala also talked about her support for reproductive rights. She has released a plan to require DoJ pre-clearance for new abortion laws from states with a history of passing laws that violate Roe. When asked what abortion restrictions she would support, Kamala was clear that the decision about abortion belongs with the woman.
I am in favor without any hesitation or ambiguity, placing that decision in the hands of the woman…. I do not believe government should be in the business of telling women what to do with their bodies.
Another topic that came up was Kamala’s teacher pay plan, which she also discussed earlier in the week on NBC:
Making headlines from this podcast, Kamala was asked if Donald Trump would face prosecution if she were president. She stated clearly that her DoJ would follow the facts where they lead, even if that meant prosecuting Donald Trump for obstructing justice.
Later yesterday, Kamala explained her reasoning on All In:
On a lighter note, the interview ended with Kamala talking about her love of cooking and here’s a couple post-wrap takes that continued that discussion on cooking.
Kamala’s focus on executive actions to get around a Senate potentially led by Mitch McConnell, reminds me of the refrain from this 90’s song — “Action (Not a bag a mout')”. Lest there be any confusion, this is not a criticism of other candidates, only to point out that Kamala is focusing on actions she can take on day one. We need both legislative leadership and executive action from our next President.
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There are about 70 million reasons to support Kamala Harris for President!
Newpioneer has rounded up some highlights of her sponsored legislation here.
snowman3 has rounded up some more legislative highlights here.
Want to know more about her positions and plans? Her policy page is Our America.
Or go straight to an issue: quality, affordable health care for all, economic justice,raising teacher pay, combating the climate crisis, criminal justice reform, action on gun violence, a fair and just immigration system, LGBTQ+ equality, government for the people, debt-free college and student debt, gender equality, American leadership at home and abroad, and fighting for racial justice.
Upcoming Events
June 14-15: On Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, Senator Kamala Harris will return to Nevada to hold campaign events and meet with voters. Harris will march with striking McDonald’s workers and speak at the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. 33rd Annual Conference in Las Vegas on Friday along with other events to be announced.
June 18: Kamala will hold a Reception in Midtown NYC! Check your email and RSVP. Limited tickets available starting at $100, more details closer to event.
June 21: Kamala will be at Rep Clyburn’s Fish Fry in Columbia, South Carolina
June 22: Kamala will participate in Planned Parenthood’s forum on reproductive rights in Columbia, South Carolina.
June 26-27: The first debates will be held in Miami, Florida, and will be broadcast live on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo.
July 30-31: The second debates will be held on July 30th and 31st in Detroit, Michigan, and will be broadcast live on CNN
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Next week’s schedule
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Group Guidelines
The Kamala2020 community group has been created to positively support Senator Kamala Harris, and not to engage in negativity towards other Democrats running in the 2020 primaries.
All should be made to feel welcomed here. What’s not welcomed here is petty bickering over any of our preferred candidates, or personal attacks on fellow Democrats. We’re not responsible for the actions of others who may offend, insult or attempt to sow discord and disunity — that’s on them.
What we are responsible for are our own words and actions — that’s 100% on us.
I’d like to ask all group members, as well as those dropping by who support or are interested in Kamala’s bid for the nomination, that we not respond to negativity from other campaign’s supporters with even more negativity. Let’s do better than our best and respond with respect, humor or try to hold our peace. Recipes and cat pics work, too 😃
Doing no harm costs us nothing... pie-fights will cost us everything.