DHS Policy Memo Barring Deportation of Military Family Members is Illegal, Charges FAIR

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Nov 18, 2013, 07:58 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Friday afternoon's announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) granting blanket parole to illegal alien relatives of military personnel is the latest example of the Obama administration's flagrant disregard for the rule of law, declared the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The DHS memo grants spouses, children and parents of military personnel, who are in the U.S. illegally, "parole in place," preventing them from being deported and allowing them to apply for permanent residence and citizenship without having to leave the country.

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"The Executive Branch has no legal authority to grant parole to broad categories of illegal aliens," stated Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "Parole may be granted only on a case-by-case, basis, and in limited circumstances, allowing an illegal alien to remain in the U.S. temporarily.

"Despite clearly defined limits to this authority, the Obama administration is claiming unfettered discretion to use parole to grant amnesty to a broad class of illegal aliens," charged Stein. "Like the unauthorized Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Friday's announcement is another example of the Obama administration substituting its own policies and political objectives for the rule of law."

"Americans respect and honor the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in our nation's armed forces. Throughout our history, our military personnel have fought to preserve and protect our constitutional form of government. A fundamental precept of that form of government is that the president must abide by laws, not override them with policy memos and executive orders," Stein continued.

"If the president wanted to exempt relatives of military personnel from deportation, he should have put a bill before Congress. Instead, he has once again chosen to bypass Congress and exercise broad powers not granted to him under the Constitution," said Stein. "The precedent the Obama Administration is setting is extraordinarily dangerous. If the President is allowed to violate the laws for one group of people, it will not take long before he starts expanding his powers to reach the entire illegal alien population.

"The Obama administration's latest unilateral decision to change immigration policy demands that Congress act to rein-in the abuse of discretionary authority by the Executive Branch, and hold the president accountable to enforce all of our immigration laws, Stein concluded.

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

SOURCE FAIR