Barack Obama: “We Are and Always Will Be a Nation of Immigrants”

The US president took steps to allow millions of immigrants to remain in the country without fear of deportation. He has authorized increased resources for border security, and set priority of removing “felons, not families.” Another program will defer action on 3.7 million immigrants who are parents of US citizens or legal residents – if they have lived in the country for more than five years, lack a criminal history, pay taxes and submit biometric data. He will also expand a program that defers deportation for migrants who entered the country before 2007 as children, opening it to any who arrived before 2010. New rules will allow more visas for tech workers and foreign graduates in science, math and engineering from US universities. The Congress is divided on all issues of immigration, out of fear of a backlash from conservatives who demand harsh enforcement and Latinos who expect compassion. The next president could reverse the policy, and Obama’s announcement ensures that immigration will be an issue for the presidential campaign. – YaleGlobal