Rep. Calvert Condemns Obama’s Unconstitutional Power Grab

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement in response to President Obama's executive action affecting illegal immigrants:

"Like many Americans, I strongly oppose President Obama's decision to proceed with an unprecedented and unconstitutional executive action adjusting the status of millions of illegal immigrants. Our nation's founders carefully placed the power to create and modify laws with Congress and left the President with the power to execute them.

Today, President Obama is unquestionably setting a dangerous precedent by attempting to rewrite our immigrations laws without Congressional action. Regardless of your views on what reforms are necessary to our immigration laws, Americans should be extremely wary of granting any President the power to change laws affecting millions of people single-handedly. The next President will be able to undo President Obama's executive action with the stroke of a pen on their first day in office.

I completely agree with the comments made by George Washington University Law School Professor Jonathan Turley, who describes himself as a liberal, that "what the President is suggesting is tearing at the very fabric of the Constitution."

My constituents want to see increased border security and the mandatory use of E-Verify at the heart of any action to reform our immigration laws. It is very telling that the President is willing to reach beyond his Constitutional authority on nearly every issue but not act where there is bipartisan support – increasing border security and an expansion of E-Verify. Despite the President's actions, I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to advance efforts that will strengthen our border security and make the use of E-Verify mandatory."

U.S. Constitution

ARTICLE I, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 4

"The Congress shall have Power To...establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization...."

ARTICLE II, SECTION 3

The President "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed"