Ga Republican House members react to Obama's immigration action

Republican U.S. House members from Georgia, Jack Kingston, Doug Collins, and Tom Graves, released statements criticizing President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration announced Thursday night.

”Executive action granting amnesty to millions of illegals is President Obama taking out his anger on the American people for rejecting his agenda through the due process of elections two weeks ago," said Collins. "He’s had six years to work with Congress, two of those years with his party in total control of Washington, on constructive, compassionate, and fair immigration reform. His singular action defies all three of those principles."

Collins, who represents Georgia's ninth congressional district, said that undocumented immigrants should be "deeply conceed" and Obama's announcement because it "defied" the rule of law.  The congressman promised that the "majority of the People's House" will take action against the executive order.  

Kingston's statement called President's announcement "an unconstitutional executive amnesty."

 "The President is spoiling for a fight. If he was serious about implementing the best policy he would be working with Congress, not against us," said Kingston, who represents Georgia's first congressional district, in a statement. "He eloquently made the case against doing this kind of action for the past 6 years; now he's flipped his position completely."

Graves, who represents Georgia's 14th congressional district, said that his constituents are outraged by President's actions.

 ”President Obama’s action defies voters, the law and even his own statements," said Graves. "My constituents are outraged by his brazenly political and lawless behavior. In response, the Republican Majority in Congress is exploring every tool we have to keep the constitutional checks and balances intact. Our system of govement is stronger than one man’s ambition, and I know that Congress will steadily lead the country through the final chapter of the Obama presidency. In the days ahead, it should be clear to everyone that the president’s political agenda for illegal immigrants will not be allowed to derail the work Congress needs to do for over 300 million American citizens. Congress must use its power to keep the govement open and shut the president down.

The executive order that the President announced on Thursday gives parents of American-bo children and permanent residents relief from deportation and grants work authorization for three years at a time. The parents have to show that the child was bo before yesterday's announcement.

The order also eliminates the age restrictions on DREAMers - children who were brought into the country illegally through no fault of their own, gives them protection from deportation, and grants them temporary work permits.

None of the actions announced Thursday night give legal status to those in the country illegally.