Latinos To Obama: "Yes, You Can"

WASHINGTON - In anticipation of the meeting with President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, the Obama Administration announced policy changes earlier this week designed to facilitate foreign entrepreneurs’ entry and permanent residency in the U.S.

Elite technology and business leaders from Silicon Valley reacted positively to the developments.

Meanwhile, during his speech at the National Council of La Raza's national conference, President Obama voiced support for comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act, before noting that he could not act unilaterally to ensure any policy changes to address the plight of those affected.

In a remarkable and spontaneous response, the audience responded with chants of, “Yes You Can! Yes You Can!” in light of the inherent authority that the President has to enact related policy changes.

According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund, “The contrast could not be more clear. Just as the President has the authority to delight high-tech leaders by delivering policy changes to help foreign entrepreneurs stay in the nation, he has the authority to delight Latino voters by delivering policy changes that help families stay together, help DREAM-eligible youth stay out of deportation proceedings, and overhaul flawed enforcement programs such as Secure Communities and 287(g). Unfortunately, his “can do” attitude hasn’t yet extended to the key immigration priorities of the Latino community.”

Overview document on the President’s executive authority regarding immigration policy can be viewed HERE