George W. Bush (2001-2009) Barack Obama (2009 - )
(Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) - "Immigrant Children's Educational Advancement and Dropout Prevention Act of 2001".
Allows undocumented high school graduates and GED recipients US citizenship through college or armed services
US Visa program; biometric data.
Non-citizen post-16 males
List of 25 nationalities
This system has two separate components: port-of-entry registration and domestic registration. In each case, those who register are fingerprinted, photographed, and interrogated. They are required to provide detailed information about their plans and to update Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if their plans change. They are only permitted to enter and depart the U.S. through designated ports of entry.
Created more restrictions on political asylum
Curtailed habeas corpus relief for immigrants
Altered judicial review
Imposed federal restrictions on issuing state drivers licences to immigrants
NB - MANY STATES NOT IN COMPLIANCE. Legal challenges exist including Florida and Oklahoma.
Built 700 miles of physical barriers along the US/Mexico border
More vehicle barriers & checkpoints
Congress funded $1.2bn (criticised for being too little)
It envisaged a legislative program for illegal immigrants and the establishment of a guest worker program.
Opportunity for citizenship for "aliens" in military/education
Defeated twice
Incumbent
With six sections - designed to have "something for everyone"
"Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act"
Makes being an illegal immigrant a state crime (provision removed in 2012)
Makes hiring an illegal immigrant a state crime (only in federal courts; Arizona v US 2012)
Allowed state law enforcement to check for immigration status without cause for arrest (can only check migration status during normal police work - AvUS 2012)
A series of policies and cases that result in Obama's allowance of immigrants without an illegal background - only those with criminal background or records.
'Deportation cases closed by 'prosecutorial discretion' up 70%' 2014; WND Politics
Federal Immigrants Supremacy
(see SB 1070 for provisions overruled - increased restrictions for police force)
Allowing citizenship undocumented immigrants who came to US as children
The "most sweeping policy change in a decade" - Baltimore Sun
The bill would make it possible for many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status and eventually citizenship. It would also make the border more secure by adding up to 40,000 border patrol agents. It also advances talent-based immigration through a points-based immigration system.