Dem Rep.: Obama Has Legal Authority for Executive Actions on Immigration

Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) appeared on Morning Joe Tuesday morning, castigating the House GOP for sabotaging immigration reform and arguing that President Barack Obama has the legal authority to effect limited reforms via executive action.

“If [Republicans] want to come back and discuss this, fine,” Gutierrez said. “But in the interim period, I believe the President of the United States has, already in statute, in the law, the ability to heal and put in a safe harbor millions of undocumented immigrants while the Congress of the United States finally decides that it’s going to take action.”

Gutierrez specified the ability to reunite families with children qualifying under the DREAM Act and pardon undocumented spouses of military service members.

“Just as Republicans have said no, no, no, I expect the president to be broad and expansive and generous in the use of his prosecutorial discretion,” he said.

He also warned the GOP’s inaction would cost the party at the polls.

“What [Republicans] are thinking about is a very short-term goal of the 2014 election,” he continued. “What they forget is 900,000 Latinos turn eighteen every year. …The demographic tsunami they have to confront in 2016 is one that they can’t overcome. If you want to be a party of regions you can be a party of regions, but you’ll never be a national party again.”

Watch the clip below, via MSNBC:

[Image via screengrab]

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