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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > President Obama’s finest day in the White House was today -- Showing true compassion for those brought to the US as children

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

President Obama’s finest day in the White House was today -- Showing true compassion for those brought to the US as children

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 12:50 PM

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US President Barack Obama

President Obama’s decision to legitimize up to 800,000 immigrants who came here with their parents and who will now be able to work legally is the greatest act of his presidency.

It shows a compassion and an understanding that is in the best interests of the people concerned and of the country they live in.

It reminds people why this country is so great, able to take bold steps, and react compassionately to what in the end of the day is a real crisis for millions of young immigrants.

These are people who have been brought here by their parents, crossing borders from Mexico to start a new life in America.

They are kids brought by parents from Ireland who will also fit into this category.

Most are too young to remember life anywhere else and the notion of returning them to the country of origin which they no longer know or recognize was always a completely cruel policy.

They are Americans in every meaningful sense of the word and have much to contribute to this country in the coming years. Now they will be able to, instead of living lives of real fear waiting for that midnight knock.

It is one thing to deport someone who came here willingly, knowing they were breaking the law to live illegally.

It is quite another to recognize that millions of children, who had no choice in the matter, are victims of an unfeeling and uncaring system.

The greatness of this country is not its military might or its over emphasis on its toughness in a fight.

It is the words on the Statue of Liberty written by Emma Lazarus that state:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

As an immigrant myself I have never been prouder of this country or this president than I am today. It is a huge achievement in the best and noblest traditions of America.

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boydshield | Jun 16, 2012, 06:51 PM EDT

Oh, and Niall, he only showed his true colors, no compassion involved!

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boydshield | Jun 16, 2012, 06:48 PM EDT

The man has all but broken the laws! This election year ploy will only work on the minds and souls of those that are completely clueless. This isn't a heart decision, it's a politicians gimmick. Wake up my fellow Americans, you have been had if you buy into this!

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Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT

This is one of the stupidist decisions imaginable and those who support it are obviously thick. It allows certain illegal aliens to apply to remain in the US for 2 years ONLY is they can prove their circumstances and justify remaining. Ludicrous. It's purely an election year ploy and one of the worst thought out recommendations imaginable. Deport illegals now, they shouldn't be in the US and there should NOT be excuses for them.

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Bythebay | Jun 16, 2012, 04:17 PM EDT

kerry214, it's time you in the US stop your bemoaning about how your ancestors were supposedly treated when they went to the US. It wholly depends on who, when, where and what they did. So grow up and stop mouthing your baseless biases.

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irishbob | Jun 16, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT

What kerry214 does not seem to realize is that, for the most part, our Irish ancestors came to America legally as opposed to sneaking across the border. I agree that children of illegals who were born and educated here and have English as a first language should be given a chance. Not a free pass, but a change, provided they immediately apply for US citizenship or enlist in the military and then apply for citizenship. Obama has done what Abraham Lincoln did in January 1863 by signing an executive order that emancipated all slaves in any of the Confederate States and the four slave-holding states of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware. That law did not outlaw slavery as many people think because there were slaves in many Northern states that were not freed. Obama’s law only applies to those illegals between the age of 16 and 30 and not those children under 16 that are here illegally. Obama did this for one thing, and one thing only, votes. Obama is an idiot. As faberm1 correctly points out, he has 2 years with complete control of both houses and he did pass an anti-immigration bill. He did nothing until he needed more votes.

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Opoets99 | Jun 16, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT

Good lad carrying his higness's water. Now put an extra shine on his highness's shoes. Good boy.

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Maggie47 | Jun 16, 2012, 10:54 AM EDT

It's election year, anything to get their vote. Now those parents should be sent back to where ever they come from at their expense.

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faberm1 | Jun 16, 2012, 08:39 AM EDT

@Kerry214: Pull your head out. The Democrats had control of the Whitehouse and both the Senate and the House for 2 years and they DID NOT PASS IMMIGRATION REFORM WHEN THEY COULD'VE. It was not due to Republican "road blocks". The Dems refused to act when they had a chance whether that's good or bad. This is now campaign nonsense and nothing more.

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kerry214 | Jun 16, 2012, 01:42 AM EDT

Do any of you so called Irish remember how your ancestors were treated when they came to this country ? Catch yourself's on. Republican's have throw up road blocks to prevent anything positive regarding immigration, however they sure like to use that cheap labor don't they.

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faberm1 | Jun 15, 2012, 10:36 PM EDT

A country without borders is no longer a country by definition. Acts such as these render citizenship in this great land as meaningless.

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Mike7571 | Jun 15, 2012, 10:24 PM EDT

A show of hands for all who are too stupid to see this political ploy for what it is. Yes, the same ones who believe he really gives a darn about gay marriage. Now all you sheeple go 'baaaaaa"

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BrianO | Jun 15, 2012, 09:36 PM EDT

Dictators get to dictate law, presidents are executives who get to approve law that is passed by congress, This "executive order is another assault on the constitution.

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pickateer | Jun 15, 2012, 08:34 PM EDT

Now just what part of illegal doesn't anyone understand. Here's a better proposal, they serve 8 years in the military or in government service - forestry, etc and then they are eligible to apply for citizenship. Until then no student loans, no government grants and no minority status. One must remember that many of these within the 16 to 30 age group showed how much they appreciate being in the US by hoisting a Mexican flag and demonstrating against our laws!

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Chicago1 | Jun 15, 2012, 08:21 PM EDT

Obama and the Dems were in control for the 1st 2yrs of his Presidency, yet he couldn't pass the DREAM Act. This is just a political move by a very desperate man afraid of losing his job. Yes, we need comprehensive reform. BUt I am sick to death to hear about VICTIMS when they chose to come here. I dread the thought of any legislation passing that does not include protecting our borders and throwing out all who gangsters, drug dealers etc. Also, all those that have received free taspayer $ from government must have to pay severe $$ penalties.

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Chicago1 | Jun 15, 2012, 08:14 PM EDT

"It is quite another to recognize that millions of children, who had no choice in the matter, are victims of an unfeeling and uncaring system." No, they are victims of parents who chose to break the law. THis uncaring system ensures that these "victims" are fed a free breakfast and lunch at school, are given free medical, are given free dental, are given free education, are given free monetary benifits..... The only victim here is the legal citizens of this country that is paying for these so called VICTIMS.

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