WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to President Obama’s executive action on immigration reform, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement this evening:

“I am a strong supporter of immigration reform and worked hard to pass a bipartisan bill nearly two years ago in the Senate that addressed many of the issues the President discussed this evening. I’m disappointed that the House has failed to even debate this crucial subject, but I am also concerned about the impact of the President’s acting alone. I fear that the action announced tonight could actually make the reform we need more difficult by causing a backlash in public opinion and solidifying Republican opposition. Our immigration system is broken. No one questions that. But, in order to achieve a long-term solution that brings people together, the Congress, including the House of Representatives – not the executive – must take the lead. The country – including the millions of immigrants we’re talking about – deserves more from its democracy.”

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