# GOP Strategy to Stop Obama's Executive Amnesty Emerging **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 18, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016 "2014-11-18T23:50:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/41 "2014-11-19T17:53:30Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > It is reasonable because it is entirely fair to tell the President that if he is going to use ICE money in a way Congress disagrees with, then they are going to de-fund ICE. Though the type of thing that could get you indicted by prosecutors in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/42 "2014-11-19T17:58:28Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > It also doesn’t help that they’d be de-funding the agency responsible for immigration enforcement, which is obviously the opposite of their actual goal. Right – another possible approach of the President could be to welcome this strategy. “You want to fund all the government except the guys who deport illegal immigrants? Okay. Let’s do it!” ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/43 "2014-11-19T17:58:42Z")
I still don’t quite see how responding to Obama’s action to halt deportations by defunding the organization that does the deporting furthers GOP aims. Since it is so obviously counter to their stated policy preferences (more money for enforcement an deportation) it is blatantly political. Obama will just veto the bill, and say that immigration enforcement has been de-funded by the GOP refusing to pass a bill that funds it. As soon as a clean funding bill hits his desk he will sign it. We’ve seen this show before… In the end the GOP presidential candidate will have to state his position on immigration enforcement. Then the voters will decide which party they want to execute immigration law. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/44 "2014-11-19T18:03:40Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > A principled strategy, you say? What principle is that? I’m not seeing any, just more obstructionism. There’s legitimate and illegitimate obstruction. In my view, one of the things that separates the two is the nexus between the thing being withheld and the end goal. So it is less legitimate to refuse to appoint a federal judge because you object to EPA policy, and it is more legitimate to refuse to appropriate money to the EPA. Withholding funding is especially appropriate where Congress has no other mechanism of action. They have already passed a law saying these people should be deported. If the President elects not to do so, they are powerless except for the power of the purse. I don’t think a government shutdown would be principled. I don’t think impeachment would be principled. I don’t think over-the-top congressional hearings about ebola-bearing immigrants would be principled. But withholding money from the agency whose presidentially-determined policy you disagree with is about as germane and constitutionally legitimate as it gets. The one argument I see against it being principled is that Republicans are lying about Obama’s actions being the reason they refuse to pass immigration reform. So to the extent they don’t want to pass reasonable legislation because they think they can win political points, then the whole deal is unprincipled. > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Though the type of thing that could get you indicted by prosecutors in Texas. I thought Perry’s prosecution was silly, but de-funding an agency that is investigating you certainly raises more questions than de-funding an agency whose policies you disagree with. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/45 "2014-11-19T18:06:16Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I still don’t quite see how responding to Obama’s action to halt deportations by defunding the organization that does the deporting furthers GOP aims. That is not what they would be doing. There are a lot of government offices that need funding to implement the executive order - from processing the applications to printing out the documents for registering the illegals. Those can be defunded. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/46 "2014-11-19T18:19:36Z")
It seems like it takes more money to deport than not deport. So in order to stop an agency from not deporting you’re going to cut off the funds that they would need to deport? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/47 "2014-11-19T18:41:54Z")
But why throw away an opportunity! They are “illegals”, which is to say their very \*person \*is illegal, criminal. So, throw them in prison! Then, they are available for the sort of sub-minimum wage work they were probably already doing, but at a considerable saving in wages! We still have plenty of stoop-labor to be done, they can put those “cantaloupe calves” to good use. And the American housewife will smile at iceberg lettuce at a dollar a head! That way, we can mollify those bleeding hearts whining about “breaking up families”. Not true, Mamacita and Papa are only as far away as the nearest jail! Heck, we could have “Family Day” celebrations, maybe even let them touch their kids, rather than pressing their hands against the plexiglass wall. Hey, we’re the Americans, compassionate as all git out! And it won’t take much more than the slightest hint to let those illegal kids know that their behavior may be a factor. Troublemakers, protestors and that sort of unpatriotic behavior, they should know that this is not the sort of thing that shows true commitment to one’s country! Not really a “team player”, know what I mean? And if the kid joins the military and comes to an unfortunate end, well, _no hay problemo_. Bury 'em, give their folks the flag and the medals, and boot their asses right out! A modest proposal. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/48 "2014-11-19T18:44:02Z")
There are procedural principles and substantive principles. You can object to a tactic even if you agree to its goal, and you can object to a goal even if you agree with the tactic. I don’t think liberals ought to abandon the notion that there is something Congress can properly do when it disagrees with presidential enforcement priorities. If President Rubio decides that he won’t prosecute income tax evaders who pay at least 80% of their tax bill, as a way of introducing a 20% tax cut, is there any action Congress can take to fight that? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/49 "2014-11-19T21:54:53Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > There’s legitimate and illegitimate obstruction. Agreed. It’s legitimate when my party does it; illegitimate when yours does it. > [@](#): > > The Republicans actually tried this during the last shutdown, in which they tried to get individual funding for parks etc. It got shot down by the Dems, and even though the Republicans tried to claim that it was the Dems who were shutting down the parks it didn’t work. This is a demonstration of the kind of thinking I meant - the Republicans try to fund the parks, the Dems shoot it down, therefore it is the Republicans’ fault the parks didn’t get funded. Whereas if the Dems try to fund the parks and the Republicans shoot it down, then it is the Republicans’ fault that the parks didn’t get funded. _:shrugs:_ Heads I win, tails you lose. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/50 "2014-11-19T21:58:31Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Agreed. It’s legitimate when my party does it; illegitimate when yours does it. You give me that sarcasm in a thread in which I am saying this is legitimate for the GOP to do? Or maybe it wasn’t sarcastic. Maybe it was a sincere statement of your position? That would make a lot more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/51 "2014-11-19T22:25:31Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > You give me that sarcasm in a thread in which I am saying this is legitimate for the GOP to do? Or maybe it wasn’t sarcastic. Maybe it was a sincere statement of your position? That would make a lot more sense. From everything he’s ever written, it’s a conscious repudiation of his unconscious position. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/52 "2014-11-20T00:30:16Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > In the strategy described in the OP, it would be unmistakeably Obama shutting down government, department by department, by vetoing bills in which he could point to nothing objectionable - if he decided to veto them. Or, if he decided to veto just the one, it would not be a “government shutdown”. If the government shuts down republicans will get the blame, you should know this by now. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/53 "2014-11-20T00:46:43Z")
You’d think the would be content to rest on their laurels, after defeating Obama’s plan to flood America with illegal gay Ebola viruses. But, _nooooo!_ ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/54 "2014-11-20T16:45:21Z")
The truth is that the GOP wants immigration reform as bad or more as the democrats do, their base simply won’t let them do it without punishment. They are not going to stop the president even if they could, they just have to act tough for their base. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/55 "2014-11-20T17:13:22Z")
Another strategy, if that is not too strong a word: [Outgoing Senator Tom Coburn warns of “anarchy” and “violence” if Obama signs the EO.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/20/a_very_dangerous_situation_gop_senator_warns_of_violence_if_obama_signs_immigration_order/) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/56 "2014-11-20T19:03:46Z")
A small problem with this strategy, apparently, is that [CIS is funded by user fees](http://thehill.com/policy/finance/224837-appropriations-panel-defunding-immigration-order-impossible#.VG4Q5YEHoiY.twitter), and not appropriations from Congress. So even with a government shut down, or with selective funding bills, the CIS will march on doing what it does, funded by user application fees and the like. Sorry **Terr**. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/57 "2014-11-20T19:47:23Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think the Republicans would rather Obama do it, so they can complain about it. This. They have objections to it, but politically speaking they’re better off just opposing it, and running on it in 2016. The Democrats keep doing things to alienate the white working class, which is an essential part of their coalition; first rule of politics holds that you let the other guy keep digging his grave. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/58 "2014-11-20T21:28:28Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The truth is that the GOP wants immigration reform as bad or more as the democrats do, their base simply won’t let them do it without punishment. They are not going to stop the president even if they could, they just have to act tough for their base. Are there any issues for which that’s not true? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/59 "2014-11-20T22:25:09Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > A small problem with this strategy, apparently, is that [CIS is funded by user fees](http://thehill.com/policy/finance/224837-appropriations-panel-defunding-immigration-order-impossible#.VG4Q5YEHoiY.twitter), and not appropriations from Congress. So even with a government shut down, or with selective funding bills, the CIS will march on doing what it does, funded by user application fees and the like. > > Sorry **Terr**. > **[GOP lawmakers tear into each over strategy to block amnesty order](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2842959/GOP-factions-tear-strategy-block-Obama-s-amnesty-order.html)** > > They arguing over whether to insert language into spending legislation that would bar immigration agencies from using federal funds to implement Obama's amnesty order. 'The USCIS union president has already warned that the agency lacks the resources to properly screen applicants now—and he stressed just last month that the President’s executive amnesty would make the situation “exponentially worse—and more dangerous,” ’ Sessions argued. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016/60 "2014-11-21T00:01:44Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [GOP factions argue over strategy to block Obama's amnesty order | Daily Mail Online](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2842959/GOP-factions-tear-strategy-block-Obama-s-amnesty-order.html) > > 'The USCIS union president has already warned that the agency lacks the resources to properly screen applicants now—and he stressed just last month that the President’s executive amnesty would make the situation “exponentially worse—and more dangerous,” ’ Sessions argued. Not sure what this quote has to do with how the CIS is funded. Nothing in that article (except perhaps the frustrated baying of a few Republican clowns) disputes that the CIS is not funded by House appropriations, but rather by user fees. Congress could pass a bill to shut down the CIS, but then Obama would veto it. I don’t see how Congress shuts down the activities of a part of the government that isn’t funded by Congress without the President’s approval. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-strategy-to-stop-obamas-executive-amnesty-emerging/705016.md?page=4)