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By Jacquelyn Benson
As the New Orleans District U.S. Court of Appeals heard arguments both for and against President Obama’s executive actions regarding immigration, on May 13 the Live Free or Die Alliance (LDFA) put the issue to over 62,000 Facebook members, asking “Do you agree with President Obama’s executive action halting deportation and offering work permits to certain illegal immigrants?”
The results showed a lack of support for the President’s efforts, with 72% of those giving or concurring with a direct response to the question expressing opposition and only 28% in favor. In total, 87% of respondents did provide a yes or no response, with 13% opting to discuss the subject in broader terms. In total, 145 citizens participated in the discussion with a total of 696 responses.
Many of those opposed to the move held that Obama’s actions were an overreach of executive power. “This unconstitutional executive action represents a real Pandora's box and makes a mockery of our existing immigration laws,” one commenter said. Others were against the policies on more general principles. “The way Obama wants to do it rewards their illegal activity,” one respondent wrote. “The illegals should not get a thing. They broke our laws sneaking into the country. The ones who did it legally, we should support,” another argued.
Those in favor of the executive actions gave a variety of reasons for their support. “This is a nation of immigrants,” one respondent argued. “The people who pick our food and do other hard and dirty, low-paying jobs many Americans consider beneath them need and deserve some rights, and protection from straight-out exploitation,” another held. Others supported Obama’s efforts but added that Congress should still work toward passing an immigration bill.
Broader comments on the question addressed immigration policy in general, among a range of other issues. “The immigration system [is]… expensive and drawn out… No wonder there's so many illegals,” one poster said. “In order to fix the immigration problem we have to first fix the entitlement problem,” another argued.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 65,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.
Jacquelyn Benson is an Editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.
Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org