Understanding why pending executive action by President Obama on immigration, residency, and citizenship are objectionable, imprudent, and unconstitutional – and what can be done legally and politically about them, if he proceeds – requires a snapshot of history and law.  Ten arguments stand between the president and such bold, unilateral actions. First, executive directives of all kinds – and some have been creative – started with George Washington.  They are theoretically justified by the indeterminate “executive powers” vested in each commander in chief by Article II of the U.S. Constitution.  Their legal justification begins and ends there, and is necessarily nested in a larger constitutional text and intent, which has always favored avoiding unilateral executive actions unless absolutely necessary (as for national security).  Thus, unless ceremonial or peripheral, the justification for directing agencies one way or...(Read Full Article)