President Barack Obama announced a series of executive actions on Thursday night that will overhaul the United States’ immigration system.
The actions will protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation, allowing them to obtain permits to work in the United States, though they won’t be eligible for government health insurance.
In total, around five million undocumented immigrants—out of the nation’s estimated 11.2 million—will be directly affected by the president’s executive actions.
“Our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations,” Obama said during his speech. “But today, our immigration system is broken, and everybody knows it.”
Everyone agrees our immigration system is broken, and Congress has stalled on reform. That’s why the President is taking #ImmigrationAction.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 20, 2014
According to the new plan, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. before Jan. 1, 2010, and who have lived in America for five or more years, can apply for work permits, if they don’t have a criminal record. About 4 million people would be affected by this part of the plan.
Other undocumented immigrants can apply under the “Dreamers” program, which protects undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. when they were younger than 16 and not yet 31 years when they applied to the program. Under the new plan, there is no upper age limit. However, the plan won’t extend to parents of “Dreamers.” White House officials said they had considered including parents of these younger immigrants but had decided there was no legal authority to do so.
“There has to be some legal limit to the actions that the president can take,” a senior administration official said on a conference call with reporters before the president’s speech on Thursday. “It’s a very difficult line to draw, but one that ultimately had to be drawn.”
Obama’s executive order doesn’t include the provision of healthcare for undocumented immigrants. And the plan doesn’t specifically address the much-debated issue of what will happen to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrant farm workers.
In recent weeks, Republicans have attacked Obama on the issue of immigration, saying he is acting beyond his presidential mandate. The president acknowledged those lawmakers, and responded with a simple message.
“Pass a bill,” Obama said. “I want to work with both parties to pass a more permanent legislative solution.”
Just as Republicans did not wait until the end of Obama’s speech to criticize it, protesters did not wait to start their rallies. Some, who seem to be in favor of Obama’s plan, led a “Yes we can” chant outside the White House.
Protesters gather outside The White House via @brennawilliams @cnnpolitics https://t.co/2xdRGP4q6V #immigration
— Ashley Codianni (@AshleyCodianni) November 21, 2014
Pro-immigration reform demonstrators rallying outside the White House. pic.twitter.com/Bmxzc1AZ3J
— Steve Brusk (@stevebruskCNN) November 21, 2014
Some made sure to catch the speech, though.
Immigration activists outside the White House watched live as Pres. Obama announced executive action on immigration: pic.twitter.com/MADiu0C3cn
— ABC News (@ABC) November 21, 2014
And, across the country in Las Vegas, Nevada, a young woman Obama mentioned in his speech began to tear up. She is an undocumented immigrant who will be protected by the president’s plan, and she reportedly didn’t realize Obama would mention her.
Astrid Silva after President Obama mentioned her in his speech. She didn’t know it was coming. https://t.co/FhkKoUNew3
— Katie Zezima (@katiezez) November 21, 2014
You can read the White House’s fact sheet about the executive actions, below.
Source – mashable