U.S. President Barack Obama
According to Obama, if this plan is implemented, more than four million illegal immigrants will not only avoid deportation but also receive permission to work in the United States. This applies to immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than five years, as well as those whose children are U.S. citizens. In addition, as the president noted, Washington will facilitate legalization for highly educated immigrants and entrepreneurs.
"If you meet all the necessary criteria, you can come out of the shadows and live in accordance with the law. If you are a criminal, you will be deported," the American president stated. He noted the contribution immigrants have made to the development of the United States, and also said that "deporting all 11.3 million illegal immigrants is not feasible."
Republicans said they would try to block this reform by Obama. According to The Wall Street Journal, they may use a bill on funding the federal government to pressure the White House. It must be approved by December 11.
Some Republicans suggest filing a lawsuit to prove the unconstitutionality of the president's actions. "What he is proposing will lead to a violation of the law, and voters' voices will not be taken into account. The immigration problem will not be solved this way," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
On Thursday, November 20, a crowd of immigrants gathered near the White House. Upon learning of Barack Obama's decision to allow illegal immigrants to stay in the United States, they began chanting in Spanish and English: "Yes, we did it!" (Si se pudo! and Yes, we could!), thus remaking Obama's campaign slogan "Yes we can!" (which means "Yes, we can!")
During the 2008 election campaign, Barack Obama promised to make immigration reform one of his priorities in his first year in office. However, neither then nor at the beginning of his second term as head of state did he manage to do so. The Senate approved the initiative, but Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked it.
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