On Immigration, Biden Attempts to Replicate a Powerful Obama Moment
The New York Times
The president’s announcement to expand legal protections for some undocumented spouses of American citizens evoked Barack Obama’s move to help young immigrants in 2012.
In the summer before a tough re-election contest in 2012, President Barack Obama was losing support from Latino voters who called him “deporter in chief.” Then he signed a sweeping executive order to shield hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Luis V. Gutiérrez, an Illinois Democrat and former congressman, recalled that in his district in the Chicago area, some Latinos celebrated the moment in the streets. “Everywhere I went, here’s what people said — ‘Now we’ll vote for him,’” he said. “I swear to God. That is how important that was for him politically.”
Twelve years later, President Biden appeared to be trying to replicate that move.
Mr. Biden on Tuesday drew cheers and several standing ovations from a room of about 200 people, including congressional Democrats and immigrant-rights leaders from across the country, as he unveiled an order expanding legal protections for undocumented spouses of American citizens. He evoked Mr. Obama’s powerful moment by announcing it at an event commemorating the anniversary of the former president’s 2012 executive action for young immigrants, framing his proposal as a way to keep families together.
“I refuse to believe that to protect our border we have to walk away from being an American,” he said, adding that the nation had been revitalized for generations by immigrants. “We can both secure the border and provide legal pathways for families.”
News of Mr. Biden’s order drew widespread praise even before it was announced, including from Latino and immigrant rights advocates and from some former critics who had just weeks ago denounced him as “Border Shutdown” Biden.
The Jets and Giants are both having seasons that fans would rather forget. But they took very different routes to get there.
Donald Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations has driven fearful immigrants to seek protections and advice.
Some in the party are considering alternative ways of assessing the federal budget as they prepare to extend temporary tax cuts passed in 2017.
Street side sheds and shanties helped keep restaurants afloat during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, for better or worse, new city rules are forcing their removal.
After enduring a host of election conspiracy claims in recent years, Ada County believes it has found a way to restore confidence in the vote-counting system.
The inquiry follows a New York Times report questioning the validity of more than $162,000 in matching funds given to Dao Yin, a Democrat of Queens.
Donald Trump has a record of pardoning favored companies from tariffs. Companies are once again lining up to try to influence him.
An atmospheric river that has brought damaging wind, rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest fed a storm spreading as far south as Los Angeles.
The world’s richest person, not known for his humility, is still learning the cutthroat courtier politics of Donald Trump’s inner circle — and his ultimate influence remains an open question.
Christopher Terranova, a former officer from Staten Island, was accused of preying on teenage boys on Snapchat, including one whom he met when the child reported a robbery.
Ramon Rivera, who had a history of mental illness and minor crimes, missed a check-in with a case manager. Days later, he went on a killing spree in Manhattan, according to the police.