Washington (AFP) — US President Barack Obama on Thursday said he was powerless to stop mass expulsions of illegal immigrants, which prompted one Latino advocacy group to brand him "deporter in chief."
The president said Congress was requiring him to enforce existing immigration laws while balking at passing a comprehensive bill that would offer illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
"I am constrained in terms of what I am able to do," Obama said.
"The reason why these deportations are taking place is that Congress said 'you have to enforce these laws'"