The White House has formally responded to the petition to deport Justin Bieber with a one-way ticket back to the Great White North, with a no comment position in a statement that attempts to focus America back on its actual problems.
The announcement , which was released Friday, will likely disappoint the over-273,000 who signed the petition “to deport Justin Bieber and revoke his green card,” but won’t trouble the 317.8 million Americans who didn’t and presumably think there are better candidates than a 20-year-old pop star for forcible expulsion.
Citing rules which allow for scenarios where it’s improper for the White House to comment, the ‘Believing in Immigration Reform’ statement read – in part:
Sorry to disappoint, but we won’t be commenting on this one.
The We the People terms of participation state that, ‘to avoid the appearance of improper influence, the White House may decline to address certain procurement, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or similar matters properly within the jurisdiction of federal departments or agencies, federal courts, or state and local government in its response to a petition.’
So we’ll leave it to others to comment on Mr. Bieber’s case.”
After saying they wouldn’t interfere with Bieber’s ongoing legal cases which are now being addressed by courts, the White House laid out its case for President Obama’s immigration reform plans, stating:
“Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next 20 years.
For those of you counting at home, that’s 12.5 billion concert tickets — or 100 billion copies of Mr. Bieber’s debut album.
You better believe it.”
The Bieber deportation petition was uploaded on the White House site January 23, the same day that the singer was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Miami Beach, Florida, while driving a rented Lamborghini.
In just six days, which must be a record, petition signatures exceeded the 100,000 threshold compelling the White House to respond.
At the time, the petition’s creator , “J.A” from Detroit, wrote :
“We the people of the United States… would like to see the dangerous, reckless, destructive and drug-abusing Justin Bieber deported and his green card revoked.”
“He is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nation’s youth (sic).”
In addition to his DUI case, the singer is also charged with assault in Canada for allegedly hitting a limousine driver last December.
The case is proceeding as the equivalent of a US misdemeanor.
Bieber may also be charged for allegedly egging the house of his estranged former neighbor in Calabasas, California.
However, reports this past week suggest the singer is “ready to make some changes in his life” and is now “being more selective with his friends,” a source told E! News.
The insider added, “He wants people around him that will help him and guide him and keep him on the right path.”
Do you have an opinion on the White House’s no comment regarding the Bieber deportation petition , or its immigration reform plans?
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(Photo: via Bieber Instagram.)