President Obama Announces Executive Action on Immigration Reform

November 20, 2014.  President Obama announced his changes to the immigration system tonight in a primetime address to the nation.  These changes will take affect through executive action.  President Obama’s turn to executive action comes after the comprehensive Senate immigration bill stalled in the House of Representatives for a year and a half.  In light of the forthcoming executive action, President Obama encouraged Congress to “pass a bill” on immigration.

In his address, the President outlined three key points. Specifically, his executive action will achieve the following:

(1) granting temporary stay of deportation for parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents (who have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years).  Under this provision, undocumented immigrants must first register, undergo background checks, and pay taxes;

(2) building on border enforcement progress by adding resources for border personnel; and,

(3) providing easier and faster paths of entry for high skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs that help our country grow.

The executive order is aimed at providing immigration relief to as many as five million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the U.S. President Obama’s plan is focused on the creation of a system that will “be more fair and more just.” President Obama also stressed that his executive action is focused keeping families together and deporting criminals.  He emphasized that immigrants are a “net plus for our economy and our society.”

President Obama will speak again on his changes to immigration policy tomorrow at a Las Vegas high school.  Erickson Immigration Group closely monitors all relevant news and will provide timely updates, should we receive any further news regarding President Obama’s executive action.