In spite of his own self-imposed deadline to act on immigration, President Obama recently announced that he will not issue any executive orders on immigration until after the mid-term elections. It seems that pressure from vulnerable democrats especially in red states not to create a wedge issue the republicans can rally around finally got to the president. Unfortunately, for the millions here without status will have to continue to wait. The wait could be a long one as Congress cannot seem to get its act together.

In an in depth interview with Newsweek, Obama suggested that his wants whatever action he takes to be long lasting. As you may know, executive orders can be quashed by the next occupant of the white house without much more than a signature. Legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the president on the other hand has to go through the more uphill battle of amendments in Congress. Case in point, Republicans fruitless efforts to amend or change Obama Care. House Republicans need the senate to make changes to the law.

Previous executive orders with immigration such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals grants immigrants without criminal backgrounds who entered the United States illegally before the age of 16 a work permit and two years of amnesty from deportation. Immigration advocates were hoping Obama would consider extending this to the remainder of the immigrant population. But that decision will come after Obama officially enters the lame duck years of his presidency where as you may know not a whole lot is accomplished.