Reagan, Bush Also Used Executive Authority To Prevent Deportations

President Barack Obama's anticipated order that would shield millions of immigrants now living illegally in the U.S. from deportation is not without precedent.

Two of the last three Republican presidents — Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush — did the same thing in extending amnesty to family members who were not covered by the last major overhaul of immigration law in 1986.

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In 1986, Congress and Reagan enacted a sweeping overhaul that gave legal status to up to 3 million immigrants without authorization to be in the country, if they had come to the U.S. before 1982. Spouses and children who could not meet that test did not qualify, which incited protests that the new law was breaking up families.

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"It's clear that it's fully within his legal authority to issue these orders," said Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas. He said Republicans 'didn't raise any objections in the past when Republican presidents issued similar orders. This is pure political theater."

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/bush-reagan-immigration-orders?utm_content=buffer34052&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



Reagan and Bush Also Acted to Shield Immigrants

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“Two of the last three Republican presidents — Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush — did the same thing in extending amnesty to family members who were not covered by the last major overhaul of immigration law in 1986.”

http://politicalwire.com/2014/11/16/reagan-and-bush-also-acted-to-shield-immigrants/