Quayle called the immigration order an 'unconstitutional power grab' by the White House. Quayle: No 'imperial presidency'

Calling it an “unconstitutional power grab,” Rep. Ben Quayle said Thursday he will try to block an administration move to stop deporting certain illegal immigrants.

Last Friday, President Barack Obama bypassed Congress and announced he had ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop deporting illegal immigrants who are under 30, were brought to the U.S. before the age of 16 and weren’t considered national security or law enforcement risks.


“This is yet another unconstitutional power grab by this administration,” Quayle, an Arizona Republican and son of former vice president Dan Quayle, said on “Fox and Friends.” “We have separation of powers. Immigration laws are supposed to be written in the Congress, passed in the Congress, and signed by the president. We don’t have an imperial presidency where he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.”

On Monday, Quayle introduced a bill seeking to block Obama’s order. The legislation has attracted 28 co-sponsors.

During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, White House senior adviser David Plouffe said administration attorneys were confident the move is within the president’s legal powers.

This article tagged under: Immigration

Ben Quayle