Even as President Barack Obama travels to South Florida Wednesday to promote his executive action on immigration, a Republican congressman from the Sunshine State is turning up the heat for failing to enforce current immigration laws.
As chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Security, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis hit Obamas immigration policy this morning, insisting illegal immigrants are a threat. DeSantis noted in 2013 more than36,000 convicted criminals were released by Department of Homeland Security in 2013 and then 1,000 of those released have arrested and convicted again.
By failing to enforce the law, the Obama administration is placing the public safety at risk, DeSantis insisted. Our subcommittee will be hearing emotional testimony from the family members of murder victims as well as law enforcement personnel and policy experts.
At a subcommittee hearing examining the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, DeSantis continued his line of attack, accusing the Obama administration of failing to enforce the current laws.
The American people have every right to expect the government to abide by the laws of the land, especially those that impose duty on government officials to promote the safety and security of the American people, DeSantis said.
The Florida congressman noted the valued contributions legal immigrants make to American society but also cited increased numbers of illegals can represent a threat and accused the Obama administration of not enforcing the laws currently on the books.
The federal government is failing to enforce the laws that protect the public safety, DeSantis said.
DeSantis pointed to the 9/11 hijackers, noting several of them used fraudulent information to get into the country and at least two of whom stayed past their initial visa dates.
The 9/11 attacks were an act of war against our country by a terrorist group who exploited the lack of enforcement of our immigration system in service to their murderous ends, DeSantis said.
Obama will be speaking on immigration at Florida International Universitys (FIU) main campus in Miami on Wednesday afternoon at a MSNBC/Telemundo town-hall event. Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled Obama overstepped his powers when he issued an executive order deferring deportation for around 5 million illegals. The White House is planning an appeal.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., is scheduled to fly down with Obama on Air Force One and she praised the president.
As the representative for one of the most diverse and immigrant-rich congressional districts in the country, I am honored to join President Obama for the town hall meeting on immigration at Florida International University, Wilson said. President Obamas immigration plan would give millions of undocumented immigrants an opportunity to come out of the shadows to get an education, and become law abiding and taxpaying citizens. We must not let partisan politics stand in the way of what is morally right.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
