Obama relaxes deportation rules for young immigrants.
- 12 years ago
About 800,000 young illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children could be spared deportation under new immigration rules announced by U.S. President Barack Obama Friday.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
" Now, these are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they're friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag. They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper. They were brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants, and often have no idea that they're undocumented until they apply for a job or a driver's license or a college scholarship."
The president's action sidestepped Congress and laid down a challenge to Republicans, many of whom view leniency on deportations as amnesty for people who are living in the country illegally.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"Now, let's be clear: This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix."
The change would allow illegal immigrants who, among other criteria, are younger than 30 years old and have not been
convicted of a felony to apply for work permits.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
" Now, these are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they're friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag. They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper. They were brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants, and often have no idea that they're undocumented until they apply for a job or a driver's license or a college scholarship."
The president's action sidestepped Congress and laid down a challenge to Republicans, many of whom view leniency on deportations as amnesty for people who are living in the country illegally.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"Now, let's be clear: This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix."
The change would allow illegal immigrants who, among other criteria, are younger than 30 years old and have not been
convicted of a felony to apply for work permits.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters