Beyond political rhetoric , there are limits on Obama 's powers on immigration . He can only deport people who have been convicted of a crime or otherwise pose a threat to public safety ( i.e. terrorists ) He can not , as some in the GOP want , put immigrant kids on buses bound for Central America . then we 're in a zero-sum game , '' said Kamal Essaheb , a policy attorney National Immigration Law Center . In many cases , the President does have to work with Congress in crafting immigration reforms .
Beyond political rhetoric , there are limits on Obama 's powers on immigration . He can only deport people who have been convicted of a crime or otherwise pose a threat to public safety ( i.e. terrorists ) He can not , as some in the GOP want , put immigrant kids on buses bound for Central America . In many cases , the President does have to work with Congress in crafting immigration reforms .