Is what Donald Trump proposed regarding immigration a precedent?
To the editor:
What does the law say about Presidential authority to restrict immigration: US Code 1182, inadmissible aliens. This law was written in 1952. It was passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress, House and Senate, and signed by a Democrat president.
“Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by president. Whenever the president finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, the president may, by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”
In 1979 Jimmy Carter used this law against Iranians both here and those would like to come here. In the wake of the situation at that time in regards to Iran, President Carter announced “that he was going to send Iranians home, Iranian students home, that they had to report to immigration, they had to confirm they were here legally, those who weren’t were sent back.
Look at the contrast of then and now. No outrage from the media and no outrage from Carter’s political opponents. Perhaps they realized that some things transcend politics: Patriotism heading that list.
What we have today is in stark contrast both politically and patriotically. Washington, we have a problem!
Joseph L. Kibitlewski, PhD.
Cape Coral