ICE Nominee Will Be Another Rubberstamp for Amnesty
Cruz encourages colleagues to oppose the nominee
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today issued the following statement announcing that he will oppose President Obama’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sarah Saldana.
“Ms. Saldana has made it clear in a written statement that as Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement she would enable President Obama’s unconstitutional amnesty,” said Sen. Cruz. “I do not support the President’s unconstitutional amnesty, and therefore, cannot vote for a nominee who will be another rubber stamp for illegal amnesty. I encourage my colleagues, especially those who oppose Obama’s amnesty, to oppose this nomination.
Specifically, Sens. Cruz, Sessions, and Lee asked Ms. Saldana, “President Obama has announced that he will unilaterally grant legal residence and work authorizations to up to 5 million individuals illegally in the country. Do you reject this action?”
She answered, “No. I believe that the President of the United States, as others before him, has legal authority to take executive action to address areas within the purview of the Executive branch. It is my understanding that the recently announced executive action pertaining to immigration was reviewed, shaped, and considered by a number of people in whom I have great confidence, including Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Attorney General Eric Holder. I also understand that the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice has published an opinion explaining in great detail the legal authority and precedents for the President’s actions concerning enforcement prioritization and deferred action. Unless and until the President’s action is invalidated or withdrawn, I am bound to faithfully execute applicable laws, regulations, and policy.”
The senators also asked, “Do you agree that such action will invite a flood of new illegal immigration?”
She answered, “No. The use of deferred action in the President’s announcement is limited to persons who entered in the United States before January 1, 2010.”
###
