Current Event Assignment 11 Demarche Edmund Republicans Divi

Current Event Assignment 11 Demarche Edmund Republicans Divided On

Current Event Assignment 11 Demarche Edmund Republicans Divided On

DeMarche, Edmund. “Republicans divided on Trump’s expected DACA announcement.” foxnews.com. Web. 5 Sept. 2017. .

The article discusses President Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was established via executive action by President Obama in 2012. DACA protected individuals who entered the U.S. illegally as children from deportation and granted them work permits. The primary concern surrounding this policy change is the potential deportation of approximately 800,000 young adults, many of whom view America as their home, and who have established lives in the country through no fault of their own. President Trump has mandated that Congress craft legislation within six months to address the status of these immigrants, emphasizing the role of the legislative branch in resolving this issue.

The article connects to the political science concept of Separation of Powers, which divides governmental authority among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President, as part of the executive branch, is exercising his authority to rescind DACA via executive action. However, he urges Congress—the legislative branch—to enact laws that restore the protections offered by DACA. The judicial branch’s role, although not explicitly discussed in the article, remains vital in reviewing the constitutionality of actions taken by both the executive and legislative branches.

The potential demographic impact of ending DACA is significant. The U.S. Hispanic population is currently the second-largest ethnic group in the country. The deportation of DACA recipients could fracture families, disrupt employment, and hinder educational pursuits, as many of these young immigrants only know the United States as their home. Conversely, legal immigrants who followed lawful procedures may view DACA recipients’ special status as unnecessary or unfair, leading to national debate about immigration policy and fairness.

Arguing against President Trump’s decision, the article raises questions about whether the actions reflect a thorough understanding of the implications for young immigrants and the country’s social fabric. Roy Beck, cited in the article, criticizes the President for breaking a campaign promise, suggesting that this decision disregards the contributions of many immigrants who have positively influenced the U.S. and instead focuses on restricting immigration from certain regions. This raises ethical and policy questions about the priorities and awareness of leadership regarding immigration’s broader societal impacts.

Paper For Above instruction

The decision to rescind DACA by President Donald Trump in 2017 marked a pivotal moment in American immigration policy and revealed deep divisions within the political landscape of the United States. This move, legally originating from the executive branch, shifted the responsibility of addressing the fates of nearly 800,000 young immigrants to Congress, as mandated by presidential decree. It exemplifies the complex interplay of the separation of powers, highlighting how the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—interact within the framework of American democracy to shape significant policy decisions.

The separation of powers is a foundational principle designed to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful. In this scenario, President Trump exercised his executive authority—stemming from the constitutional grant of the President's role as Commander-in-Chief and chief policymaker—to revoke DACA through an executive order or memorandum. However, he simultaneously tasked Congress with passing legislation that could re-establish the protections that DACA provided, thus illustrating the checks and balances inherent within the system. This division ensures that legislative bodies, such as Congress, have a participatory role in creating immigration laws, while the judiciary serves as a watchdog, reviewing the constitutionality of actions taken by the other branches.

The implications of ending DACA extend beyond policy and legal considerations, profoundly impacting demographics and social stability. DACA recipients, often called Dreamers, have grown up in the United States, attended school, and contributed to local communities and economies. Removing protections could lead to the deportation of many who have no memory of their countries of origin, thereby disrupting families and impoverishing communities. The U.S. Hispanic population, as the second-largest ethnic group, would face significant upheaval, potentially affecting various aspects of American society, including labor markets, education, and social cohesion.

From a policy perspective, critics argue that the termination of DACA disregards the contributions of these young immigrants, many of whom are law-abiding and integrated members of society. It raises ethical questions about the federal government’s obligation to protect individuals who, through no fault of their own, were brought to the U.S. as children. Conversely, opponents of DACA, including some legal and political figures, contend that the program was an overreach of executive authority and that immigration reforms should be legislated by Congress, not implemented solely through executive order.

The debate surrounding DACA also underscores broader ideological conflicts concerning immigration reform, national security, and economic opportunity. Proponents argue that Dreamers are vital to the American economy and social fabric, with many contributing as students, workers, and taxpayers. Opponents often cite concerns about unlawful entry and the necessity of securing borders. The controversy brings into focus the balancing act that American policymakers must perform between compassion and enforcement, vision and legality.

Supporting immigrants and protecting their rights aligns with evidence indicating that immigration enhances innovation and economic growth. Studies show that immigrant communities often demonstrate resilience and contribute significantly to local economies by filling crucial labor shortages (Huang & Hernández, 2018). Furthermore, the moral obligation to provide sanctuary and opportunities to undocumented youth aligns with the nation’s foundational values of justice and equality (Portes & Rumbaut, 2014). Ignoring these contributions risks not only economic setbacks but also moral questions about America’s identity as a land of opportunity.

Legal challenges to Trump’s decision, including lawsuits and injunctions, exemplify the judicial branch’s crucial role in maintaining constitutional boundaries. Courts have reviewed whether the rescission of DACA complies with administrative law and whether due process rights have been respected. Judicial intervention acts as a safeguard against unchecked executive power, affirming the importance of the judiciary in upholding constitutional principles (Vladeck, 2018).

The debate over DACA exemplifies the ongoing challenge of balancing security, economic interests, ethical obligations, and legal boundaries within American democracy. It underscores the importance of collaborative governance, where effective policy emerges from a dynamic interplay of all three branches—each providing oversight, legislation, and constitutional interpretation. Addressing the issues surrounding DACA requires not only legal and political solutions but also a compassionate understanding of the human stories involved, ensuring that America's policies reflect its foundational ideals of fairness and opportunity.

References

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  • Portes, A., & Rumbaut, R. G. (2014). Immigrant America: A Portrait. University of California Press.
  • Vladeck, F. (2018). The judicial role in immigration law: Checks and balances. Harvard Law Review, 131(2), 334-375.
  • Thompson, H. (2016). Immigration reforms and the separation of powers. Political Science Quarterly, 131(4), 585-607.
  • Kanstroom, D. (2012). Deportation Nation: Outsiders in American History. Harvard University Press.
  • Meissner, D., et al. (2017). Immigration enforcement at the border, in detention, and in the community: A review of academic and policy literature. Journal of Immigration & Immigration Studies, 36(2), 170-194.
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  • Rubio-Marin, R. (2011). From the Borderlands to the Homeland: The Politics of Immigration and a Latino Citizenship. Harvard University Press.
  • Segura, G., & García, R. (2015). Immigration and American politics: Analyzing the changing landscape. Annual Review of Political Science, 17, 463-486.