Former president Barack Obama broke his silence on the immigration row that has plagued the country now with ICE arrests that led to riots in Los Anegesl, and said his administration showed how US could balance between the two — a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. “DACA was an example of how we can be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. And it’s an example worth remembering today, when families with similar backgrounds who just want to live, work, and support their communities, are being demonized and treated as enemies,” Obama said as he referred to his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.“Thirteen years ago, my administration acted to protect young people who were American in every single way but one: on paper…We can fix our broken immigration system while still recognizing our common humanity and treating each other with dignity and respect. In fact, it’s the only way we ever will,” Obama posted on X. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals started in 2012 under the Obama administration allowed certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children to receive temporary protection from deportation and work permits. Eligible individuals, often called “Dreamers,” must meet criteria like arriving before age 16, living in the US continuously since 2007, and having no serious criminal record. DACA does not provide a path to citizenship or permanent residency.The program has faced legal challenges and political debate. In 2020, the Supreme Court blocked an attempt to end it, but new applications were limited by a 2021 court ruling. As of recent data, about 540,000 people are enrolled, with renewals still processed. Its future remains uncertain, with ongoing litigation and potential policy changes under different administrations.
Trump overturns Obama’s script, praises ICE for mass deportation
Hours after Obama’s appeal to treat each other with dignity and respect, Trump on his Truth Social showered praises on ICE officers for “incredible strength, determination, and courage” for facilitating the “largest mass deportation operation of illegal aliens in history”, “In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside. These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens. These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — And they are doing a good job of it! There is something wrong with them. That is why they believe in Open Borders, Transgender for Everybody, and Men playing in Women’s Sports — And that is why I want ICE, Border Patrol, and our Great and Patriotic Law Enforcement Officers, to FOCUS on our crime ridden and deadly Inner Cities, and those places where Sanctuary Cities play such a big role. You don’t hear about Sanctuary Cities in our Heartland!” Trump posted.