Trump’s decision to end Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program isn’t really about immigration at all.
It’s about one simple question, a question that has plagued America’s system of governance for decades: Who decides?
Does the President unilaterally determine immigration policy or do the people, acting through their elected members of Congress? Does the President unilaterally create the law or does Congress, the branch vested by the Constitution with legislative powers?
The answer, of course, is Congress. Congress should determine immigration policy, and the President shouldn’t have the ability to refuse to enforce that policy. Trump took a step towards restoring Congress’s authority in this arena, but it isn’t clear that our Representatives and Senators will shoulder that responsibility.
Fortunately, Article V of the Constitution gives the people a way to restore a true balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Article V allows the states to call a Convention of States for the purpose of proposing constitutional amendments that limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.
These amendments can reduce the power of the President and force Congress -- and Congress alone -- to pass legislation and determine policy. Congress represents the will of the people, and they should make the most important decisions affecting both Americans and immigrants.
