Obama's Action On Immigration Draws Mixed Reaction
President Barack Obama rolled out a plan last week to bypass Congress and reform parts of U.S. immigration policy through executive order, a move that prompted an emotional response from parties on both sides of the issue.
The actions, which were taken in lieu of legislation, will be phased in during the next three to six months and have paved the way for previously undocumented family members of lawful residents to remain in the United States legally, while also expanding deferred action protection to more immigrants who arrived here as minors.
Opponents of the executive orders criticized Mr. Obama for taking a unilateral approach to immigration reform, some calling it an overreach and others simply saying its not in line with the desires of the majority of U.S. citizens.
Supporters, on the other hand, admit to having mixed feelings about the actions.
The Latino community is happysomething is better than nothing, so theres hope, but theres no small amount of uncertainty as to how much this immigration reform will help, said Sister Mary Beth Moore, head of Centro Corazn de Maria, a nonprofit organization helping Hispanic immigrants that operates out of St. Rosalies Roman Catholic Church in Hampton Bays. There is a feeling of gratitude, anticipation, anxiety and disappointment.
Because of the nature of executive orders, the steps taken by Mr. Obama could be wiped away just as quickly by his successor two years from now, which is something the immigrant community is very conscious of, Ms. Moore said, adding that she is still hopeful that the next Congress will pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
In the meantime, Ms. Moore said she and her organization plan on helping the local immigrant community navigate the new systems as they go into effect. Right now, shes advising immigrants to gather up as much documentation as possible, but also to be wary of unknown people offering unsolicited help.
Were admonishing them to think and to act with good sense and not to be carried away by offers, she said. Especially when those offers include paying money down.
The presidents plan is projected to give protection to nearly five million undocumented immigrants, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, although that still leaves millions of undocumented or unauthorized immigrants in the shadows, to use the parlance of Mr. Obamas speech.
Jeffrey Garro, a 28-year-old Hampton Bays resident, calls himself a Dreamer, the term that has been ascribed to the 1.2 million young people eligible for temporary protection against deportation thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program implemented in 2012. Mr. Garro said while he feels the presidents actions are a step in the right direction, he cannot fully support them and he worries they may create more problems than solutions.
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Obama's Action On Immigration Draws Mixed Reaction