The Heat discusses major immigration issues in the US

The Heat

President Barack Obama’s executive order on immigration reform in the United States will impact millions of undocumented immigrants and their families. With over 11 million undocumented illegal in the United States, should they be deported back to their countries of origin or should they be given an opportunity to become U.S. citizens?

President Obama promised to deliver on immigration reform when he ran for president. However, he has not been able to work out a legislative deal with Congress. Now the president has taken unilateral action on immigration reform.

In his latest address to the nation, the president announced that if undocumented immigrants met certain requirements, they could temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

To be eligible for a temporary stay, undocumented immigrants must:

  1. Have lived in the U.S. for more than five years
  2. Be a legal resident
  3. Pass a criminal background check
  4. Be willing to pay taxes

CCTV America’s Jessica Stone reported on the latest immigration reform news from Washington, D.C.

The Heat interviewed Noemi Romero about her experience as an undocumented immigrant living in the U.S. Romero’s family is eligible for a temporary stay, but due to Romero’s arrest for using her mother’s work permit, she can still be deported, despite the Executive Action.

The Heat also spoke to a panel of immigration policy experts about Obama’s executive action:

*Immigration attorney Prerna Lal, founder of DreamActivist, an online advocacy network led by undocumented youth.

*Jon Feere, policy analyst for the Center for Immigration Studies.