At the White House today, Obama administration officials asserted that the president went as far as he legally could to grant legal status to some illegal immigrants. They are unsure of how Hillary Clinton would expand his controversial executive actions.
“The president was determined to use as much of his authority as he could to try to bring some much-need accountability to our broken immigration system,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest explained to reporters during the daily press briefing when questioned him about Clinton’s remarks on immigration yesterday.
“If Congress refuses to act, as president, I would do everything possible under the law to go even further,” Clinton said during a Las Vegas campaign event, vowing to defend President Obama’s existing executive orders.
Earnest said the Obama administration was pleased that Clinton would stand up to critics of Obama’s actions, but asserted that Obama “absolutely” went as far as he legally could to help illegal immigrants.
He demurred, however, when asked about Clinton’s assertion that she would go further.
“I’m not a judge, I didn’t go to law school, so I’m not in a position to render a legal opinion…” he said referring reporters to the Clinton campaign for questions about the legality of her proposals.
“That will be something for future presidents and ultimately future courts to decide,” he said.
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