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In a speech this afternoon in the Rose Garden, President Barack Obama explained his administration's decision to allow as many as 800,000 young illegal immigrants to apply for temporary legal status and work permits.
Neil Munro, a reporter from the Daily Caller, interrupted the president twice, asking him to defend his statement that the move is the "right thing" for the country. Obama talked over the reporter but later in the speech addressed him, again asserting that the immigration decision is the right one. Munroe again interrupted Obama. "I didn't ask for an argument," the president said sharply, ending the unusual exchange.
Obama went on with his speech. "They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one--on paper," he said of the young illegal immigrants who will be affected by his plan.
The sweeping proposal allows immigrants without criminal records who are under 30 years old, entered the country as children, have graduated from a U.S. high school and can prove they've lived in the country for five consecutive years to apply for temporary legal status and then two-year, renewable work permits. It does not provide them a path to citizenship. In his speech, Obama stressed that the move is "not amnesty," and he thinks Congress should still pass a broader legalization bill.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/w...165949610.html
As an immigrant myself, I have mixed thoughts on this. On the one hand, I can't help but start wondering if all the hoops and red tape and processing I've had to go through in my journey towards legal citizenship was actually worth it.
On the other hand, I can imagine that a child who came into the U.S. at the age of 3, has only known this country his entire life, would have difficulty being sent "home" to Mexico or wherever else he is from.
My concern is this initiative may encourage more people to try and enter the country illegally to gain status.
Neil Munro, a reporter from the Daily Caller, interrupted the president twice, asking him to defend his statement that the move is the "right thing" for the country. Obama talked over the reporter but later in the speech addressed him, again asserting that the immigration decision is the right one. Munroe again interrupted Obama. "I didn't ask for an argument," the president said sharply, ending the unusual exchange.
Obama went on with his speech. "They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one--on paper," he said of the young illegal immigrants who will be affected by his plan.
The sweeping proposal allows immigrants without criminal records who are under 30 years old, entered the country as children, have graduated from a U.S. high school and can prove they've lived in the country for five consecutive years to apply for temporary legal status and then two-year, renewable work permits. It does not provide them a path to citizenship. In his speech, Obama stressed that the move is "not amnesty," and he thinks Congress should still pass a broader legalization bill.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/w...165949610.html
As an immigrant myself, I have mixed thoughts on this. On the one hand, I can't help but start wondering if all the hoops and red tape and processing I've had to go through in my journey towards legal citizenship was actually worth it.
On the other hand, I can imagine that a child who came into the U.S. at the age of 3, has only known this country his entire life, would have difficulty being sent "home" to Mexico or wherever else he is from.
My concern is this initiative may encourage more people to try and enter the country illegally to gain status.
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