CHARLESTON – Two Republicans vying for a U.S. Senate seat both praise President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind an immigration policy from the Obama Administration.
On Sept. 5, Trump formally rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, which was started in 2012. DACA allows certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.
Trump announced the decision, but delayed implementation for six months to allow Congress time to come up with a solution for those previously eligible for DACA.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey hailed Trump’s move.
“I applaud President Trump for having the courage of his convictions to uphold the rule of law and stop this Obama-era program,” Morrisey said. “DACA was unconstitutional and represented an unlawful, unilateral action by the Obama administration.
“Changes in law must be made through the legislative process. We will always stand up and defend the rule of law and our Constitution.”
Morrisey also said a coalition of states – led by Texas and including West Virginia – no longer will pursue litigation in the matter.
U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins also said he agrees with Trump’s decision.
“President Obama overstepped his constitutional authority by creating the DACA program through an executive order,” Jenkins said. “We are a nation of laws and have a responsibility to secure our borders.
“I remain firmly opposed to amnesty and am committed to ensuring our nation’s immigration policies are constitutional and lawful.”
In addition to Jenkins and Morrisey, former coal miner Bo Copley has announced plans to run as Republicans for the Senate seat currently occupied by Joe Manchin for the 2018 election. Manchin will face primary competition from environmental activist Paula Jean Swearengin, who already has been endorsed by the Brand New Congress political action committee formed by former staff members and supporters of Bernie Sanders. Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship also has hinted as running as a Republican or an Independent.