The American Legion, one of America's largest veterans' groups, isn't too thrilled about the immigration action President Obama announced Thursday.
The executive action will allow as many as five million undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation. But Michael D. Helm, national commander of the American Legion, is worried about what kind of message the move will send to terrorist groups in the Middle East.
"At a time when ISIS, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organizations are killing innocent Americans, it makes no sense to let our guard down and send a message that the United States is an open, soft target," Helm said in a statement released by the veterans' group.
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The American Legion has opposed deferring immigrants' deportation in the past, arguing that the immigrants are taking away resources like public schools and health care. Helm said that the U.S. "has benefited enormously from citizens who have obeyed the law in the journey to becoming Americans."
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