Not Obama, of course. He had more important things to do, like rest up after playing another round of golf and watching the World Cup, just chilling on a sunny Sunday. Instead of acting as POTUS, leading, engaging, he sent the head of the HHS
(Fox News) State governors from both parties have reacted cooly to efforts by the Obama administration to gain their support for placing thousands of unaccompanied Central American children with friends or family members.
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell met privately with dozens of governors Sunday at the National Governors Association summer meeting in Nashville. According to those who attended the meeting, the governors expressed particular concerns about the costs to states, including that of providing public education for the children. Burwell left the meeting through a side door without talking to reporters.
“Our citizens already feel burdened by all kinds of challenges. They don’t want to see another burden come into their state,” said Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat. “However we deal with the humanitarian aspects of this, we’ve got to do it in the most cost-effective way possible.”
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad were among the most vocal Republican critics. They seized on the administration’s plans to place the children with friends or family members without checking on their immigration status.
I guess this is better than what they had been doing, namely, secretly flying these illegals across the country to the Bay State with no notification to the state. It plainly shows Obama’s disengagement on the issue that he couldn’t be bothered to appear himself. But, I supposed without a pool table and some good barbecue he felt there was no chance for a photo-op. I doubt he’s realizes that he’d be about as welcome as a turd at a pool party.
Neither Burwell’s agency nor immigration officials check the immigration status of relatives who take custody of the immigrant children.
Of course, there is a pesky law which requires that the children be temporarily placed with relatives or friends with legal status.
Both Diane Feinstein and Rep. Mike Rogers are quoted in the article noting that there are measures that Obama can take without Congressional approval nor changes to the 2008 re-authorization of a human trafficking law.
At the end of the day, Obama is doing what he does best: duck the hard issues. Spread the blame. Get other people to take responsibility. And then complain, whine, and Blamestorm so he can campaign.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
