OK to bypass Congress on immigration? #tellusatoday

Letters to the editor:

Instead of trying to circumvent laws (voted on and passed by majorities in Congress), why don't we work with undocumented immigrants to guide them through the proper and legal process?

Many people worldwide are waiting and following the correct procedures to become American citizens. They will pay the hefty fees, learn about our country, pay taxes and maybe even learn English (what a concept!).

How do these potential citizens waiting in line feel about the 5 million undocumented immigrants now protected from deportation?

Bob Blanchard; Newport Beach, Calif.

If our politicians were adults, our president and congressional Republicans occasionally would reach compromises. Because they are not adults, we get treated to an apoplectic Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions saying Congress must stop "Emperor" Obama's "unlawful amnesty" ("Sen. Sessions reacts: We must stop Emperor Obama." USATODAY.com, Thursday). Congress can't stop Obama. The next two years will be very interesting. Obama will be busy issuing executive orders and vetoing everything Congress wants. Because of Obama's vetoes, Congress will be impotent. Is that what Republicans are going for?

Vic Presutti; Dayton, Ohio

We asked our followers what they thought about President Obama's plan on immigration. Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Obama should do his job, enforce the laws of this country and work with Congress. He represents Americans.

— @Wolfiemann

Better question: How long is too long to wait for Congress to govern? One, two, three or more years? Do your job, Congress, legislate!

— @Moonlitechirp

Obama's job is to uphold U.S. laws that are written by Congress, not to rewrite laws he doesn't like.

— @hidefullofHoney

I feel like he is slowly tearing our country apart. I don't believe that illegal immigrants should stay.

— @rebeccahunt008

Although he can act by executive action, he should wait and work with the next Congress.

— @davidessexfl

How many times can Obama work with a "party of no"? Many Republicans don't care about the Latinos.

— @JustinTime4talk

It's better to work through Congress and to go by the Constitution.

— @Houdini1000

It's a tragedy that our president ignores that we have a balance of powers in our government for very good reasons. I agree wholeheartedly that we need immigration reform, but I disagree with how our lame-duck president is issuing an executive order on it. I still believe that all the branches of government could in time come up with a compromise solution.

— Jim Mather

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.