Local Politicians React to Obama's Order To Stop Deporting Undocumented Youth

Southland immigrant-rights activists and local congresswomen hailed today's for some undocumented immigrants who came to the country at a young age.

"Americans will look back on this day with pride and joy when they allowed these young people to fully contribute to the growth, prosperity and strength of our great nation,'' said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "If what we heard today is exactly what happens, it was about time.''

The policy is expected to affect about 800,000 people across the country.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the policy will apply -- on a case-by-case basis -- to undocumented immigrants who:
   -- came to the United States under age 16;
   -- are younger than 30;
   -- have continuously lived in the United States for at least five years;
   -- are enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate or are honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or Armed Forces; and
   -- have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, multiple misdemeanors or pose a threat to national security.

Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-38) who will compete in November for the district that includes Baldwin Park reacted saying this is great step forward on the path towards immigration reform and a boon for the United States.

“These bright young people have known no other country: they have achieved, served, and been educated in America, and it is their love of the U.S. that keeps them here. I applaud the President for taking this step and allowing our young Dreamers to have a productive place in society.”

Rep. Judy Chu, D-El Monte and chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, called the announcement a ``momentous'' policy change.

"Every year, tens of thousands of students who were raised in this country have their hopes of a higher education, and a brighter future, dashed, simply because of their immigration status,'' Chu said. ``It is unfair that a young person, brought up as an American, in American schools, cannot benefit from the opportunities afforded by a college education because of their parents' mistakes.''

Speaking at the White House, President Barack Obama said the change is aimed at people who were likely brought into the country by their parents, and in many cases did not know they were undocumented until they tried to apply for
a job.

"Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people,'' he said.  

The president insisted the policy was not amnesty, immunity, a path to citizenship or a "permanent fix'' to the immigration system. He called it a "stop-gap measure'' that gives "a degree of relief and hope to driven, patriotic young people." "It's the right thing to do,'' he said.

The announcement was met with anger by some. Obama was interrupted during his announcement by someone questioning why undocumented immigrants should be granted work permits when the nation's unemployment rate is already high.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform issued a statement online saying the policy announcement ``is a clear indication that the Obama administration intends to grant blanket relief to illegal aliens on its own initiative, completely circumventing Congress, which has repeatedly rejected the DREAM Act over the past 10 years.''

- With information from City News Service.