President Barack Obama's plan to shield millions of illegal immigrants from deportation could land him in prison if it violates federal laws against encouraging foreigners to enter the United States illegally, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama tells
Slate.
With Obama's to announcement on an amnesty plan for immigrants on television Thursday night, over the objection of many in Congress, Brooks said the president is courting impeachment by the House of Representatives and even prison under U.S. law, Slate reports.
"At some point, you have to evaluate whether the president’s conduct aids or abets, encourages, or entices foreigners to unlawfully cross into the United States of America," the Republican lawmaker from Hunstville, Ala., told Slate on Thursday.
"That has a five-year in-jail penalty associated with it," said Brooks, who was re-elected to a third term in November.
Considered a staunch opponent of comprehensive immigration reform, Brooks on Monday sponsored a bill that would authorize the House to sue the president if he proceeds with executive amnesty,
Al.com reports.
Brooks made waves this summer when he accused Democrats including the president of waging a "war on whites."
Brooks told Slate on Thursday that the president's actual plan will define how Congress responds.
"If the president is simply not obeying a statute that is noncriminal in nature, that does not necessarily rise to a high crime or a misdemeanor," he said, adding, "Until we see what he’s going to do, it is difficult to say whether he is violating a civil statute or violating a criminal statute."
Other GOP House critics of Obama's amnesty measure also complained to Slate of the timing of the president's announcement from Las Vegas — just hours after Congress has left Washington for Thanksgiving recess.
"It’s political and it is cynical, but it’s how he governs," Rep. Louie Gohmert, Texas Republican, told Slate. "And how appropriate! Go out where he can be at Caesar’s Palace if he’s gonna play Caesar."
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