After five years and nearly two million deportations, many people have begun to question President Obama’s illegal immigration record. After revealing his wish for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers, a record number have been deported under his administration. This is the right thing to do, since many of those who have been deported have been convicted of a federal crime, and those who have not tend to have their deportations deferred.

Obama’s immigration record is a bit of a conundrum to say the least. While he has stated his support for a pathway to citizenship for most illegal aliens, no president has had more deported under his administration. To be fair, Obama has stated there is nothing more he can do to halt deportations due to federal law requirements. The House of Representatives recently rejected a plan that had outlined a 13 year plan to citizenship that had been championed by Obama, and had been passed in the senate.

Under the Obama administration, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has been ordered to undertake a policy of “deferred action” in deporting illegal immigrants. Although it does not justify letting all illegal immigrants stay, the people eligible for deferred action do not merit the resources required to deport them.

According to thedailybeast.com, all those eligible for this program must be 30 or younger, and have moved to the country as minors. The article also stated,  “The new policy requires that these immigrants also have a high school diploma or GED, or that they serve in the U.S. military. Regardless of meeting these qualifications, illegal immigrants with any criminal history won’t make the cut. A record besmirched with more than one misdemeanor offense (urinating in public, for example, or skipping a subway toll) will disqualify the applicant.” As stated before, these are not the illegal immigrants that the country needs to be going after.

ICE has been active in deporting convicted felons under Obama’s watch, something that should definitely continue into the future.

According to a nytimes.com article, “…59 percent (of illegal immigrants) had been convicted of a crime, a slight increase from last year. Among those, nearly three-quarters had committed serious offenses…” ICE has clearly placed a focus on removing illegal immigrants who have somehow broken our laws, meaning that resources are being allocated more effectively.

Many of Obama’s staunchest supporters have grown angry at his failure to pass progressive legislation that would allow more illegal immigrants the opportunity to achieve citizenship.

According to a newsmax.com article, “La Promesa de Obama,” his promise to achieve immigration reform during his first year as president “has proved empty.” Many pro immigration supporters have grown weary of Obama’s message.

The problem with this statement is that the author seems to believe that Obama has complete control of legislation and the ability to pass whatever he wishes, but the fact is he does not, and he still has to follow the federal government.

According to usatoday.com, Obama said, “I’m not a king. I am the head of the executive branch of government. I’m required to follow the law. And that’s what we’ve done.”

Obama’s record on immigration has been called spotty by some, but in truth, even for a conservative, it makes sense. The continued focus on deportation of criminals first is beneficial to the country on many levels, mostly by allocating resources where we need it most, a welcome change that should continue.