Letters: Obama’s immigration move -- an overreach?

Re “Obama opens new door,” June 16

Referring to the Dream Act, President Obama said last year, “This notion that somehow I can just change the laws unilaterally is just not true.” On Friday, Obama effectively changed the law unilaterally, saying, “It’s the right thing to do.”

In recent history, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have allowed presidents to use powers that belong to the legislative branch. You may be for open borders and amnesty, but if you believe in and support the Constitution, you should be cautious in supporting Obama’s unilateral Dream Act.

If we allow the executive branch of government to continue to increase its powers unilaterally, we will no longer have a system of checks and balances. The Supreme Court and Congress must stop the executive branch from expanding its powers.

Bill Cool

Corona del Mar

As a teacher, I have worked with many hardworking, sometimes brilliant undocumented students.

I met moms who caught 5 a.m. buses to clean houses in other areas of Orange County. I met a father at a parent-teacher conference who told his daughter: “It’s too late for me. I will always work a lot for a little money. But if you do well in school, you can make a better life.” This man’s eyes were ruined from a lifetime of welding, and his daughter was an A student. I hope this policy affects his daughter today.

I’m proud of our president, who has inched us toward healthcare, diverse families and now a humane immigration policy. It’s a proud day for America.

Suzanna Bortz

Laguna Niguel

Obama has added potentially more than 1 million people to the labor market to compete with the upward of 20 million Americans who are underemployed or unemployed, among which are many unemployed legal immigrants. He has also basically told the people waiting in line to come here legally to drop dead.

The American people are smart enough to see that this is election-year pandering at its worst.

Gary Paul Jr.

Simi Valley

Was this decision political gamesmanship? Possibly. But what is undisputed is the fact that most of the 535 elected representatives of the people have failed miserably in addressing this issue.

Is it above their pay level, or is it something else?

Mark Papas

Los Angeles

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