Fox News Highlights NumbersUSA and Senators' Letter Regarding Amnesty Through Executive Actions
Fox News published a story focusing on NumbersUSA's involvement in what has become a nationwide story of the Obama Administration's possible plans to offer an amnesty through the use of executive actions. NumbersUSA's Director of Government Relations Rosemary Jenks spoke with Fox News about the story.
Numbers USA, an organization that presses for lower immigration levels along with humanitarian treatment of illegal immigrants, has started a petition to the president expressing "outrage" at the alleged plan.
Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations with Numbers USA, said she's been hearing for weeks from "sources close to the Democratic leadership" in both chambers that administration officials are discussing whether the Department of Homeland Security could direct staff to grant "amnesty" for all illegal immigrants in the country.
"They're trying to figure out ways around a vote," she said.
"Any attempt to force an amnesty on the American people using this underhanded method smacks of despotism," reads the fax the group is urging supporters to sign.
-- FoxNews.com, "GOP Lawmakers Warn of Administration Plan to Grant Amnesty to Illegal Immigrants"
NumbersUSA first posted a story on Tuesday morning, highlighting a letter written by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and signed by seven other Senators. Later that day, our story was posted on the Drudge Report, drawing national attention to the story. Fox News, and many other news organizations, began reporting on the story on Wednesday.
The senators who wrote the White House on Monday say they are concerned that the administration is readying a "Plan B" in case a comprehensive reform bill cannot win enough support to clear Congress. . .
Deferred action and parole, which give illegal immigrants the ability to seek a work permit and temporary legal status, are normally granted on a case-by-case basis. But the aide said the lawmakers have learned from "sources" that the administration is considering flexing its authority to grant the status on a mass basis. . .
Jenks said the talks about Homeland Security allowing illegal immigrants to stay are "serious."
Under the law, immigration officials can grant deferred action to temporarily postpone removing an illegal immigrant from the country. That status does not offer a guarantee that they won't face deportation, but Jenks said illegal immigrants granted parole are often allowed to seek permanent legal status.
-- FoxNews.com, "GOP Lawmakers Warn of Administration Plan to Grant Amnesty to Illegal Immigrants"
Fox News contacted the White House, but they refrained from comment. A Senate aide told Fox News that the Administration has not responded to the Senators' letter.
For more information, see FoxNews.com.