Urging millions of undocumented immigrants to "come out of the shadows," President Obama announced his plans to bypass Congress and shield millions from deportation. Republicans have vowed a fight, reports GHN based on DW.
Vowing to use his authority to fix America's immigration system, United States President Barack Obama announced widespread deportation protection and access to work permits for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants living in the US.
Speaking from the White House on Thursday evening, Obama announced that all undocumented immigrants living in the United States for more than five years and who have a child who is a US citizen or permanent resident would be eligible to apply for work permits and be shielded from deportation.
Obama also expanded a 2012 program called "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" that gives legal status to young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16.
Urging unlawful immigrants to "come out of the shadows" and get right with the law, Obama said he was within his constitutional authority to institute the changes.
"There are actions I have the legal authority to take as president - the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me - that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just," Obama said.
Anticipating Republican criticism of the move, Obama said the new measures did not amount to "amnesty" for lawbreakers.
"It does not grant citizenship, or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive," Obama said. "All we are saying is that we are not going to deport you."