{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398367", "Griffith Statement on Obama's Executive Action Announcement", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In advance of President Obama\u2019s remarks this evening regarding his plans to move on immigration via executive order, Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement:\r\n\u201cReports indicate the foundation of President Obama\u2019s legal theory behind his plans on immigration is the criminal law doctrine of prosecutorial discretion. \u00a0If these reports are true, the President through his executive actions is refusing, in a blanket form, to prosecute violators of the United States\u2019 immigration laws.\u201d\r\n\u201cI question the authority to make a blanket decision regarding the prosecution of criminal laws, as opposed to making decisions in a specific individual\u2019s case.\u00a0 Further, prosecutorial discretion does not give authority to grant unprosecuted violators with privileges or benefits such as work permits.\u00a0 Such benefits granted to unprosecuted violators may be in violation of the law.\u201d\r\n\u201cAdditionally, if the President\u2019s theory is in fact prosecutorial discretion, it does not mean that the violations the President is choosing to leave un-enforced are no longer crimes.\u00a0 A subsequent Administration could choose to prosecute any or all of the people previously not prosecuted.\u00a0 The President granting benefits to unprosecuted individuals will unintentionally create a registry of unprosecuted individuals which may be used by a subsequent Administration for prosecution.\u201d\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThere are a number of actions that the President could and should take regarding illegal immigration.\u00a0 Among the actions outlined by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) in a recent National Review Online article that the President has the authority to undertake but isn\u2019t undertaking: \r\n \r\n    completing and strengthening the southern border fence;\r\n    tracking foreign visa holders via an exit-entry system;\r\n    canceling visas to nations that will not take back its own citizens;\r\n    stopping the issuance of child tax credits to illegal immigrants;\r\n    targeting those cities that defy immigration law.\u201d\r\n \r\n\u201cThe President should be defending America\u2019s borders and enforcing our laws.\u00a0 If he is serious about resolving the illegal immigration issue, why has he not taken the actions above for which he has the authority?\u201d\r\n\u201cPresident Obama should first work with Congress to stop the unfettered flow of illegal immigrants from around the world into our nation.\u00a0 Then, working with Congress, we can find a long-term solution.\u00a0 An unwillingness to deal with the problems at our borders and entry points indicates his current actions have more to do with politics than with seeking real solutions.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am very concerned by reports that later this evening President Obama will announce executive actions on immigration. \u00a0Over the next several weeks, I will be closely examining his actions and their legality.\u00a0 I strongly encourage President Obama and his Administration to respect the Constitution, follow his oath of office, and fulfill his obligation to faithfully execute the laws of our country.\u201d \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398367"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8048517629504204, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}