- September 7, 2011
- Category: American Immigration Council, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Hispanic, Obama
The Wall Street Journal (Link) reported that a recent poll has found that 51% of Americans disapprove of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president for the first time since his inauguration.
According to the article, President Obama is losing support from key groups including political independents, women and Hispanics.
Last month, President Obama moved to ease tensions with Hispanics by expanding the role of Prosecutorial Discretion. See MY SUMMARY of the new AIC Question & Answer for this policy shift. But, will this be enough? I believe Mr. Obama will need more changes in order to win back some of the Hispanic vote.
President Obama a month earlier had insisted that he cannot use his executive powers to change immigration policy. (See LINK). That was July. He changed his tune in August with Prosecutorial Discretion.
I previously wrote about a change the Obama Administration could make. See OBAMA’S NEXT LIKELY MOVE IN IMMIGRATION. The Republicans are gaining ground on the President. He needs help to secure re-election. Expanding the Parole in Place program should secure more votes for the President. I believe the President would have to put this program into effect before and not if, or after, he secures re-election.
Of course, immigration is a hot button issue. Any immigration reform efforts by Mr. Obama will alienate certain segments of the population. This issue will be a delicate tight rope for President Obama in the coming months.