Statement of Madison Mayor Paul Soglin on President Obama's Immigration Plan

I support President Obama’s plan to reform U.S. Immigration policy. By using his lawful authority, he is granting relief to millions of hard working individuals, mothers and fathers who are going to work every day, earning a living, paying taxes and raising their families. That is what we would call the American Dream.

Every President since President Eisenhower has used executive authority to provide temporary immigration relief and in fact, there have been 37 instances of Presidents using executive authority since 1956. That action has come under both Republican and Democratic administrations so this is not, and should not be, a partisan issue. This is a human rights issue.

Although this move, long overdue, puts the President at odds with Congressional Republicans, I feel the majority of hard working Americans support the right of our friends and neighbors to stop living in the shadows and to be able to play by the rules. President Obama will take his case to the American people today and I look forward to hearing more about his plans.