And unmanned surveillance flights over syria. Something Officials Say was authorized by the president. Select potential targets for air strikes against isis. Potential targets could include weapons, equipment, and the isis supply line from iraq to syria. And could get a decision by the end of the week. What i can tell you is the president has not made a decision to pursue any sort of military action in syria. I can also tell you, as i mentioned earlier, that the department of defense has personnel who are responsible as they can tell you for ensuring that the commander in chief has access to the kinds of plans in contingencies that he may need if necessary. Meantime syrias foreign minister said his country is red did toy cooperate in the fight against isis. But said any u. S. Air strikes in syria without the consent would be considered an aggression. The news comes after isis execute the american journalist james foley and holding other americans captive. Were hearing from the mother of peter curtis. His family said hes on the way back to the u. S. He needs to decome press. I dont know what kind of emotional state hes in. So whatever whenever he is. Hes going to be in some kind of seclusion so he can be with the family and enjoy some quiet. Joining me now is democratic congressman Gregory Meeks of new york. A member of the Foreign Affairs committee. Good to see you this morning. Good to be with you, jose. Thank you. Lets talk about the possibility of the u. S. Getting involved in air strikes in ssyria. Is that something you would support . I think we need to give the president the leeway as far as the air strikes are concerned. As weve seen in iraq to be make sure he damages the devastating group known as isis. Yes, it is something that as long as we are doing air strikes, its something i could support. What is interesting in contrast to air strikes in iraq where the government there allegedly supports the United States doing that to help itself out, in syria, unless we work with the assad dictatorship, that would be going into an air space that the country youre flying over doesnt want you at. I think that the president has indicated clearly he believes, and i believe, he has the constitutional right to protect americans and american interest. No matter where they are. And i do believe we need to try to work in concert with other nations like turkey and saudi arabia and jordan, who also have some very concerned interest in that region. But it is clear we cannot allow isis to continue to move and try to create this socalled Islamic State that is looking to do its clear these are vicious, mean terrorists individuals that have to be stopped. And the best interest of the United States to make sure they are stopped. But i believe we need to work collectively with some of our allies in the region, and we cannot work with the Assad Government. What a difficult situation were facing because, do you think that the United States should then have some conversation with that Assad Government to see if they are willing to let us go in or simply do it on our own . I think that in this scenario, just as the president has done when he had to get bin laden. If we see we have an intelligence and theres an opportunity to get some of those that have it all over that area and is responsible for the killing of mr. Foley, that we have to do what we have to do. As i said, i would like to work with some of our allies, particularly turkey, jordan, and saudi arabia and some of those areas who have an interest also. We dont want to get caught in the situation where it looks as though were siding with the shia versus the sunni. Thats why its important to have other countries and other individuals also involved. It seems, congressman, that all of these other countries youre mentioning have been tepid, to say the least, about acting and reacting to a threat, which affects them directly and theyre kind of looking to us to take the initiative. If these countries arent willing to step forward, what do we do . Is this, for example, congress should be getting involved in . Well, you know, i think that and i hope without saying and not knowing specifically by not having attended any classified briefings recently that behind the scenes there are conversations taking places. It would be hard to see there are not behind the scenes conversations taking place with those nations and nato allies as we speak to make sure its a concerted effort not just United States of america. With that being said, i think it has been shown, for example, the kurds have the wherewithal on the ground if given the appropriate equipment to fight on the ground as we utilize what we need to do on the air, at least on the iraqi side of the territory. And so i think that kind of combination is something that we need to do. So i understand what some of the moderate individuals in syria, and some of the moderate individuals on the ground. Theres a test, i believe, going on right now to see what strength they have and maybe we can utilize them. Clearly, in my estimation, the president probably did the right thing in the end, which we have not talked about. Not arming individuals on the ground in syria at the time, because if you see the strength isis has now gained, it could have been a scenario where they would have been the individuals with some of our equipment. So now we have a look at those on the ground that is not with the Assad Government, test their strength, make a determination whether or not we can train some of them so they can be on the ground fighters as we do with as we have done with the kurds in iraq. And just remembering were up on 200,000 dead in this civil war in syria while were dealing with isis. Congressman, a pleasure to see you. Thank you. Good to be with you, jose. The United Nations is accusing isis for carrying out mass execution in the city of mosul. Isis militants are working to eradicate anything that doesnt fall in line with their radical interpretation of islam. That includes destroying churches, mosques, and other Cultural Treasures in iraq that date back centuries. Look at that. The video showing the supposed final resting place of jonah being reduced to rubble. For more on that, we bring in former cia Counter Terrorism analyst. Thank you for being with us. Why is isis destroying these religious historical and cultural sites . What purpose does it serve . Well, they believe in a world view that they would like to bring back islam to the time mohamed and his early followers. So this is now the seventh century in arab ya. Obviously a lot of things have happened in the world in 1400 years since. Those are considered innovations by this particular group. They have to be destroyed, according to their view. In the warped ideology, it makes perfect sense. Thats what is amazing it makes sense for them to destroy national and international treasures. Now, you do point out in your Washington Post piece that its a the rescue of artifacts and items rather than focus on the people being slaughtered. Talk to me about the aspect. Obviously, the first thing that the United States should do in the regional actors should do is to protect the people. For one reason or another whether its the kurds, the iraqi army, even the iranians. We havent brought a massive counter vailing force to fight isis. Some of our secondary plan, at least, when i talked about in the article is we should try to spirit the priceless artifacts out of this area of northern iraq. Remember, like you said before, this is the area where the prophet jonahs supposedly last burial site was. They blew up the last resting place of adam and eves third son. We have to do something, but this should be a secondary issue. And as president obama weighs military options against isis in syria, in a piece for politico you say president obama will bomb syria. How can you be so sure . Well, if you look at isis and the history of its organizations beforehand, which is al qaeda in iraq. Theyve had an interest in attacking outside of, at that time, iraq. So al qaeda and iraq had the fingerprints on fights in jordan and turkey, even in london. Al qaeda and iraq have something. This is a predecessor organization. And remember that isis is not really interested in keeping its fight within its own borders. They really want to spread the jihad to other places throughout the middle east and north africa. Theyre wolfes and theyre hungry. Weve been showing pictures of the president who is stepping on air force one. Thank you for being with us. Its important we talk about all of these aspects of isis and how they are destroying not only trying to destroy and wipe out entire peoples but destroying artifacts and Historical Monuments that are all of ours. Thank you for being with us. We appreciate your time. Coming up dreamer confronts paul ryan about immigration asking if he will cut off funding for the program that keeps him legally in the country. Did he get an answer . Ill ask him next. Its time to bring it out in the open. Its time to drop your pants for underwareness, a cause to support the over 65 Million People who may need depend underwear. 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This comes just days after the former republican Vice President ial nominee, congressman paul ryan was also confronted by some of the same dreamers at the book signing in florida. Take a listen. Yeah. And no. I actually red your bo read yr book. Joining me now is jose and the dream are in the video confronting congressman ryan. What was your take away from your back and forth. Good morning. Thank you for having me. My take away from congressman ryan was that he and his party have embraced this ideology of family separation and mass deportation which is why we did decided to confront him. Congressman ryan titled his book the way forward which is ironic. The way forward is not what weve seen. Weve seen the gop taken steps back on immigration. Weve seen them cite with antiimmigrant members of Congress Like steve king who called me a drug mule. Congressman ryans current immigration stance on his website it says we need to find a way forward for dreamers. These are unauthorized immigrants whose parents brought them here as children. They didnt break the law, their parents did. He voted against daca before leaving for recess. We invited him on the program this morning and he was unavailable. It ryan runs for president , what stance do he think he will take on immigration . It seems he has been working for immigration in the house before it blew up. Im not too sure what his stance would be if he did run for presidency. All i know is that the gop has done nothing for immigration. Which is why we have shift our attention as a next to president obama to expand deferred action to use executive action, and go big on immigration and protect as many people as possible. And what do you mean by go big . You say you have focussed on the president. The president haas said he was for Immigration Reform. He said it when he was a candidate for the st. I. Of course. Weve seen over 2 million deportations. And weve also seen daca. In 2012, and he can do it again. He can expand deferred action which is a Successful Program to my mother, father, to dreamers who werent eligible and the rest of the community as well. Ray jose. I appreciate your time. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for having me. Congress will not act on immigration. President obama, as ray was talking about, is expected to take executive action. It could come within days. What will it be and how far will the president go as he faces criticism from even his own party on action alone. Democrats, for example, facing reelection particularly against the move. Marc pryor saying in the wall street journal this morning, i quote, im frustrated the partnership in washington, that doesnt give the president Carte Blanche authority to sidestep congress when he doesnt get his way. I want to frame the debate with two people at heart of it all. Republican strategies and former spokesperson for george w. Bush and former white house director of white house media. Lu luis, how far can the president go . Youve been with me and seven of the nine interviews ive with had president obama and probably six he said im not a king. Im the president i cant act unilaterally. We talked about it plenty of times. One of the important things, when the president stepped out to talk about daca in 2012, its something he county want to do. He didnt want to have to take executive action. His strubss to his team were always i dont want publicity stunts or things for pr. I want a solution. He brought together members of congress from both parties. Both chambers back in 2009 to try to kick start a conversation. At some point, you have to act and take Decisive Action if congress is not willing to do their responsibility and, look, hes not sidestepping congress. What hes going to do is basically act under the existing executive authority he does have. Its basically prosecutorial discretion. Hes not able to do a categorical amnesty. Hes not able to do anything like just saying anyone who arrived after a certain date gets to stay. He doesnt have the authority to do that. Hes not going to do that. What hes going to do is do what he can under the law, and lets be clear, whatever he does do its not going to be a permanent solution. Congress needs to act. Hell be able to alleviate some of the pressure. Hell be able to move resources around in a better way. Congress needs to act. And mercedes, the lack of Congress Taking this issue up one way or another, because, you know, someone will tell you they did some before the break knowing anything they dealt with on the specific issue would go nowhere. What is it going to take for people in congress to actually do things knowing that a bipartisan effort can get things done. Why is it in the Republican Party on the house there are so many willing to leave messages out there without actual action. Thats right. Its so unfortunate. Its frustrating when you have a small segment of the Republican Party not willing to come up with, you know, work bipartisanship and come up with a solution. On the other hand, you know, president obama, quite frankly, has done a poor job of negotiating with congress in coming up with the solutions, as well. Basically being a leader, bringing them together, and passing bipartisan legislation. I think at the end, if we can get to a point where we know Immigration Reform benefits our economy, you know, its bringing people out of the shadows, having an effective guest work of program. A visa system that works that we can track individuals. I think its just beneficial overall for all americans. And i believe that the republicans, and you know this with your brother, congressman diazbalart. They tried time and time again to get through the solutions, and work through these problems. And were getting stuck. But, again, going through this politically with the president , going solo, i think its going to cause a huge negative repercussion. And youre both talking about the lack of or working together in congress trying to get something done. Theres something in the house that has been trying to work with republicans, including my brother who is a republican congressman for florida. Luis said it on the show yesterday on the potential action for the president and that could legalize up to 5 million undocumented immigrants. Lets hear what he had to say yesterday. Its music to my ears that someone would have a source at the white house that say its 5 million. Let me just say tomorrow, the next day, and all of this week. Were getting ready. If it is 5 million, jose, then that would be five times as many as when the president freed the dreamers from deportation. When he instituted daca in june of 2012. I want to bring you in. You were there in january of 2013 when i specifically asked the president , i said, mr. President , why dont we expand daca to at least the parents or siblings of those young kids who have daca. He said he was legally not willing to do that. What has changed . Well, jose, lets clarify he was wrong in stating it would be legalization. Its not legalization. If he does take executive action its going to be case by case in a deferred prosecutorial discretion type of way. Thats an important distinction. Were a long way from a real solution. What need to happen here is that we need people to talk about what the real issues are. That hasnt happened yet. You have republicans claim to be worried about human trafbfickin. Want to do away with the 2008 protection for victims. You have claiming they want to do something about immigration. By blocking it they are promoting the status quo they claim to not want to continue. On the other side, what you have is an unrealist expectations the president can legalize everyone. Its not the case either. We have to be clear about what the real situation is. What the president is trying to do is govern. We has the responsibility to do so. He cant turn away when the kids are showing up he cant throw his hands up and say theres politics i cant do it. He has to make sure the government is doing everything they can to process them. I