Washington, DC –Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) tonight issued the following statement in strong opposition to President Obama's proposal to unilaterally grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants through Executive Order:

"President Obama's announcement is a direct contradiction to previous statements where he rightly and forcefully stated that he lacks the legal authority to circumvent Congress.  I adamantly oppose this dictatorial and unconstitutional action. He fully understands the limitations the Constitution places on him. He just doesn't care.

"As we saw in 1986, rewarding lawbreakers without a secure border only encourages increased immigration through illegal channels. A new flood of immigrants flocking across our border only escalates the drug cartel violence and inflates their bank accounts. Granting legal status to millions of immigrants is blatantly unfair to those who came to the U.S. and worked for years within our laws to establish a legal presence.

"President Obama held all of the levers of power from Jan 2009 - Jan 2011.  His claim that he must act now because the House refused to smacks of - 'the boy who cried wolf!' His party had total control of the government during his first two years in office. Instead, he waited until after Republicans won both chambers, but before they take control in January. This is a rogue effort to insert his will outside of his constitutional authority. The House will deploy every legislative tool at our disposal to block President Obama's efforts. I renew my unwavering opposition to President Obama's lawless attempt at amnesty."

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