Hispanic Caucus got ‘no heads-up’ from Obama on immigration delay: Rep. Sanchez

Rep. Loretta Sánchez on Monday blasted President Obama for delaying executive action on immigration laws until after the midterm elections, saying the Hispanic Caucus is “disappointed” and “frustrated” with the president.

“The president said he would address it with us. He would choose from that list. He would help us with that,” Ms. Sanchez said on CNN’s “New Day,” describing how Mr. Obama had promised the Hispanic Caucus that he would select from a list of options they presented, which included halting deportations for most of America’s approximately 11 million illegal immigrants.

“In fact, he has delayed it until after the election. We had no heads-up on that,” said Ms. Sanchez, California Democrat and a member of the Hispanic Caucus.

The White House announced Saturday that Mr. Obama would delay action on immigration laws until after the elections. The president said he needed more time to convince voters that executive action was the right thing to do.

The delay was a blessing for endangered Senate Democrats running in red states. But it outraged liberal and Hispanic groups.

“We should be getting it done now instead of after the election, so, yes, of course we’re disappointed in the president,” Ms. Sanchez said.

She also stressed that Republicans were to blame for putting Mr. Obama on the spot by not advancing immigration reform legislation.

“We’re disappointed with the president as the immigrant communities are disappointed with the House Republicans for refusing to bring this this up,” she said.