House Republicans are internally divided on how or whether to move forward on immigration reform legislation.  While most embrace moving forward on reform step-by-step in a piecemeal process that ultimately sorts out immigration legislation, some have embraced comprehensive immigration reform while others refuse to move forward altogether.  In consequence, House Republicans have opted to attempt to delay passing legislation until 2017.

House Speaker John Boeher explained, “There’s widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce out laws, and it’s going to be difficult to move on any immigration legislation until that changes.”

While the GOP claims the Obama administration cannot be trusted to enforce immigration laws, including their priority of tightening border security, deportations have hit record highs during this administration showing that he will carry out legislation even if he doesn’t agree with all of it.  Unfortunately House Republicans have omitted what President Obama could do to win back their trust and are skeptical of whether or not they’ll be able to trust the next administration in 2017 either.

“That’s not a reason to not do an immigration bill, that’s an excuse not to do it, and around here, you have to always differentiate between what is a reason and what is an excuse,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi responded to the House GOP’s announcement.  She explained that the United States government is built on a series of checks and balances to address issues of distrust and inability to carry out one’s duties appropriately.  “We’re the first in the Constitution–the legislative branch.  And what we’re supposed to do it legislate, and not make up excuses as to why we don’t,” said Rep. Pelosi.

Source: Siddiqui, Sabrina.  “Nancy Pelosi: If GOP Can’t Trust Obama on Immigration, Congress Should ‘Pack Up And Go Home,” Huffington Post.  February 6, 2014.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/nancy-pelosi-immigration-reform_n_4739705.html