A few weeks ago, in Brownsville, Texas, the government was caught lying in Federal Court. It all started when President Barack Obama issued an executive order directing the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to enforce a version of immigration law he made up after Congress declined to pass a similar law.
The president’s plan provided a path to permanent residence in the United States for illegal immigrants who were the parents of children who were born here. This would add between 4 million and 5 million people as lawful residents. That would cost the states where they reside enormous sums of money, because under federal law the state must provide a social safety net including; free health care, free education and free welfare.
Twenty six states sued the federal government, saying that the president exceeded his constitutional powers when he issued his executive orders that would place massive unfunded financial burdens on the states.
A federal judge agreed with the states and stopped the government from enforcing his order. During the oral arguments the judge asked the lawyers from the Department of Justice who were representing the government, whether the executive order had been started. The lawyers replied that they had not.
Two weeks ago it was learned that Homeland Security has secretly accepted applications from more than 100,000 illegal immigrants for permanent residence under the unconstitutional executive orders.
The orders are unconstitutional because a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard the case against the injunction the judge had ordered, found the executive orders unconstitutional. Those findings have been appealed to the Supreme Court, however with the current deadlock the injunction most likely will stand.
But the real heart of the matter is the fact that the government lawyers lied to the court saying that the programs had not yet begun when the facts were that over 1000,000 applications had been filed and accepted.
We all depend on lawyers to present facts and argue about the law, most of all we rely on government lawyers telling the truth. In this case the lawyers said the programs had not begun, when in fact they had, 100,000 strong.
Lawyers have an obligation of truth to the courts where they appear. That duty is even more serious when the lawyers work for the government. Some lawyers working for defendants are not always totally open but government lawyers should be. The people rely on them, the courts rely on them and certainly the congress relies on them telling the truth.
I wonder does the government still work for us or for themselves. The answer is sad but now is a chance to turn things around, but we have to take a chance, are you up to it?
Mike Young is a retired water and power executive who resides in Mesquite. Graduated from the University of La Verne he has taught communications skills and technical subjects throughout the Western Hemisphere. In addition to writing and editing technical manuals, he has a book titled “Speaking for Effect”. He has received some of the highest awards and recognition from both professional and public organizations. He also serves as Mesquite’s representative on the Overton Power District board of trustees where he servers as Secretary /Treasurer.
Take a chance? With Trump? If you think Obama exceeded his authority with executive orders, just wait until Donald takes over. First will be his wall. Next he will deport 11M people. Then he will take back the Iranian agreement. All done without any input from Congress.
Taking applications is NOT granting any rights. Your blind and irrational hatred of our government rivals Cliven Bundy!
Excuse me John but did you read the article? The writer explained that the court inquired if the program had started, the attorneys said NO when in fact 100,000 had been received. Did 100,000 applications fall out of the sky?
Your criticism of Donald Trump comes from your failure to understand the reasons for his popularity. You seem untroubled by the problems facing America. Maybe you have not noticed the pitting of blacks against whites, women against men, gays against heterosexuals, rich against poor, citizens against cops and Muslims against Christians. Me, I’m sick of the assault against capitalism, the B.S. of global warming as an excuse to impose more EPA business destroying regulations. I’m fed up with politicians who are more interested in reelection than saving the nation. I’m tired of the President ignoring laws and frustrating the will of the people. I’m sick of politically correct bullies and lies about decreasing unemployment rates when tens of millions have dropped out of the workforce because there was no work. Unfortunately this is what government has morphed into. Trump understands the urgency of these problems, and he denounces the status quo, the establishment in Washington and political correctness without apology. Yes, he may not be able to do it all, but the people who are there now have caused the problems and live by the status quo so give me someone who will at least stand up and tell the truth. He is a man of action and he just may be able to save our nation.
I totally agree with you also Mike. I am sick and tired of giving all these people
With their hands out the whole taco. I am married to a Mexican and she has
Worked hard and gone thru the process the correct way. I am an S Corp
In Nevada and the state had to borrow funds to pay the unemployment
Insurance. I am now paying every quarter until the end of 2017 for all the
Couch potatoes. Gary
Hoax of global warming? Political correctness? (parents should teach this). And blah, blah, blah. What truth from Trump? States 2 opposing views on the same topic on the same day. Thanks for the column though, reminds me that we are on a serious march towards complete “dumbing down”.