Rep. John Lewis on President's Directive on Immigration Policy

Statement

"President Obama's statement should be welcome news to hundreds and thousands of young people and all American citizens. Many youth live in constant fear that at any moment the federal government will swoop in and destroy the only life they have ever known. "We are a better nation,' the president said, "than one that expels innocent young kids' who have the potential to contribute to America's future. Preserving the dignity of every human being is the right and fair thing to do.

"The action the federal government is taking today is a major step down a very long road that we, as a nation, must travel to reform our immigration system. It is not logical or humane to have 50 different states develop 50 different approaches to immigration policy. It is not a matter for state and local governments; it is a federal issue. And I am glad the president is offering some leadership today by taking a bold and necessary step to begin to right some of the wrongs that have been committed, while simultaneously protecting our borders. This directive affirms that we are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants."

Source