IMMIGRATION UPDATE: BREAKING NEWS!

"President Obama Eases Rules for Young Illegal Immigrants". No more deportations for about 800,000 immigrants!

President Barack Obama announced on Friday, June 15, 2012 that the United States during his administration will stop deporting many young illegal immigrants.

Under his new rules, which side-step Congress after years of stalemate over the country's immigration policies, approximately 800,000 or so young people brought to the United States as children could apply for work permits ("green cards") and enjoy a safe haven from deportation. Unlike the "Dream Act" however, a bill supported by President Obama that has stalled in Congress, these immigrants would not be eligible for American citizenship. Without a doubt, however, this is a huge success for the immigrant community --- and particularly the Hispanic community, which comprises the majority of illegal or undocumented aliens.

Many Republicans, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, have criticized these new rules from President Obama: declaring the rules are an "amnesty for law breakers" and an overreach of administrative authority. Romney has declared many times that he would veto the "Dream Act" if it was voted out of Congress.

“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,” Obama said Friday from the Rose Garden of the White House. “They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.”

Mr. Romney, speaking to reporters in Milford, N.H., criticized the president's actions as a short-term fix that could be "reversed by subsequent presidents," but he didn't respond to questions about whether he would do that.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.), author of the Dream Act, called the announcement a "historic humanitarian moment."

Questions and Answers About the New Rules:

Q: The Obama administration said it wouldn’t deport certain illegal immigrants. Who is eligible?
A: People who are eligible to apply came to the U.S. when they were under age 16, have lived here for at least five years, are currently under age 30 and haven’t been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, multiple misdemeanors or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Q: What advantages will they receive?
A: The government would grant two years of “deferred action,” essentially a commitment not to deport the applicant under normal circumstances. Those granted deferred action could apply for a work permit. The two-year period is renewable.
Q: Does the process lead to permanent residency?
A: No. Only Congress could provide that. The administration says it is using its “prosecutorial discretion” in choosing not to deport people. They are still in limbo: The deferred-action grant “can be terminated at any time,” the Department of Homeland Security says.
Q: To apply, illegal immigrants must step up and identify themselves to the government. Why would they want to do that?
A: Some may not. Advocates for undocumented immigrants were divided on whether everyone should apply. However, successful applicants would win the right to work legally and a measure of freedom from the daily fear of being deported.
Q: How many people are eligible?
A: The Obama administration estimates 800,000.
Q: Could a future president revoke the policy?
A: In principle, yes. However, supporters of the plan said it was unlikely a future administration would try to deport those who stepped up in good faith to receive deferred action.
Q: Will those receiving deferred action get a card or certificate showing their status?
A: No, officials said.
Q: Can people granted deferred action visit relatives in their native country and come back to the U.S.?
A: No, the grant doesn’t confer any new right to leave and re-enter the U.S. from a foreign country.

[WSJ, Sat.-Sun., June 16-17, 2012; "U.S. to Stop Deporting Some Illegal Immigrants", page A1 and A5; and see the book, "THE IMMIGRATION PARADOX: 15 Tips for Winning Immigration Cases", by former U.S. Immigration Judge Charles Jerome Ware]