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A clip of the then president Barack Obama in 2010, the warning that halting deportations would trigger a surge in illegal immigration went viral.
The post – posted on social media platform X – fueled sharp divisions over ICE deportation raids launched from within the presidency. Donald Trump returned to the White House.
While some critics condemn the expulsion of otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants, others respond that such “mass deportations” were not only Trump’s signature promise, but also a norm among past Democratic administrations.
Obama had already been criticized by activists and media during his presidency for deporting illegal immigrants who had little or no serious criminal history. cross the border illegally — which earned him the nickname “chief deporter” among some critics.
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Former President Barack Obama and former President Joe Biden have both been criticized for making comparatively more moderate or conservative comments in recent decades. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
The videowhich currently has 30.1 million views, features part of Obama’s remarks on “comprehensive immigration reform,” delivered at the American University School of International Service in Washington, DC in 2010.
“President Obama rejects the entire argument that we must stop deportations and leave illegal immigrants alone that the Democratic Party is currently promoting,” writes the @mazemoore account.
In his speech, Obama spoke about the rights and status of immigrants.
“There are people in the immigrant rights community who passionately argue that we should simply provide those who are [here] illegally with legal status, or at least ignore existing laws and stop deportation until we have better laws,” Obama said. “And often this argument is framed in moral terms: Why should we punish people who are just trying to make a living?
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Migrants depart from Tapachula, Mexico, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Mass illegal immigration was a problem that persisted during then-President Joe Biden’s term. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)
“I recognize the compassion that drives this argument, but I think such a blind approach would be both unwise and unfair,” Obama continued. “It would suggest to those considering coming here illegally that there will be no repercussions from such a decision, and it could lead to an increase in illegal immigration. And it would also ignore the millions of people around the world who are lining up to come here legally.”
“Ultimately, our nation, like all nations, has the right and obligation to control its borders and establish residency and citizenship laws,” Obama said. “And no matter how honest they are, no matter their reasons, the 11 million people who broke these laws should be held accountable.”
This part of the speech took place shortly after Obama criticized a “poorly designed” Arizona immigration law, arguing that the United States should not be a patchwork of countries with different levels of enforcement, but that there should be one federal standard for immigration law that works for everyone.
Among the voices sharing the message was the founder of Tesla Elon Musksaying “What he said.”
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Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas also commented saying, “Who is this guy and why isn’t he our spokesperson for border security and the moral need for legal deportations?” What a perfectly presented argument to hold people accountable for breaking the law and also to recognize the millions of law-abiding immigrants lining up around the world.
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Amid President Donald Trump’s struggle to achieve his agenda, many recalled then-President Barack Obama’s tenure when he was able to deport immigrants to the point that he was nicknamed the “deporter in chief.” (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
