Those brought to U.S. at young age will not be deported, Obama says

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/17/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Decision comes during tough election fight with Mitt Romney

In a bold move that many see as currying favor with the Hispanic vote in the U.S., President Obama has declared a dramatic turnaround in his deportation policy. The administration will shortly declare that it will stop deporting illegal immigrants who have come to the U.S. at a young age.

It must be reiterated that the new policy won't grant citizenship to children who came to the United States as illegal immigrants. However, the new rule removes the threat of deportation and grants them the right to work in the United States.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Spelling out the Obama administration's policy change, Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the new terms in a statement.

"Young people who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own as children, who meet several key criteria, will no longer be removed from the country or entered into removal proceedings," Napolitano said in a conference call with journalists.

"This grant of deferred action is not immunity, it is not amnesty, it is an exercise of discretion so that these young people are not in the removal system," she said.

"It will help us continue to streamline immigration enforcement, ensure that resources are not spent pursuing the removal of low priority cases involving productive young people."

Very importantly, the new policy won't grant citizenship to children who came to the United States as illegal immigrants. However, the new rule removes the threat of deportation and grants them the right to work in the United States.

The could allow as many as 800,000 immigrants who came to the United States illegally not only to remain in the country without fear of being deported, but to work legally.

The question arises . what constitutes a "young age" for these many Americans? The Department of Homeland Security says that this applies to those who came to the U.S. before they were 16 and who are younger than 30 if they have lived here for five years, have no criminal history, graduated from a U.S. high school or served in the military.

According to a memo, the new policy will apply to individuals who are already in deportation proceedings.

Many see this as a ploy by President Obama to win the Hispanic vote. Obama has a substantial lead over presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney among Hispanic voters. However, criticism from immigration activists over the administration's deportation policies has intensified in recent weeks.

Hispanic voters are seen as essential in the swing states of Florida, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada, among other states.

"It's a medium-risk, high-reward strategy," Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons says. "I think you risk angering people who are upset about immigration, yes. But for a president who's got to win Florida, Nevada, Colorado, it is definitely something that can give the Latino community something to rally around."

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Immigration, deportation, President Obama, campaign battle, swing states, Hispanic vote

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

Patrick
10 months ago
I was just wondering how a Catholic website can have an add for 'Hershey's Chocolate' which is know for employing child labor, trafficking, and slavery? Should not a website representing Catholic ideals uphold Jesus's teachings in all matters, like when it comes to advertising? Nah it is fine I am sure Jesus would totally be ok with the whole unjust child labor thing.
Robert
11 months ago
Beware!
"I promise to uphold the laws of this nation"--- oops well sort of---- defacto amnesty
"I promise " " " ----- oops well sort of---- gay marriage and DOMA
"I promise" " " --- oops well sort of------ conscience rights for health care workers
"I promise " " " -- found one I like--- sex selective abortions! Hi I am Barack Obama and I approved this message along with my cabinet of rouge catholics.

The President of the United States is not only incompetent he is evil. His desires are evil.

Check out the youtube video of Fr. Andrew's speech in Colorado!
Fr. Andrew says what must be said!

Now will we as catholics pay attention!!!
Robert Burford
11 months ago
Marco Rubio proposed a similar plan. However, this is only temporary and leaves people hanging two years at a clip. This is election grand standing and it uses people as pawns. Real and fair solutions are needed and permanent ones at that.
mary christie
11 months ago
I hope the Latino community sees this for what it is pandoring. I hope the Latino community will not turn there back on the Holy Catholic Chruch which has welcomed them,supported them and defended them. What this administration has done to the chruch is outrageous and I hope the Latino community will stand by the chruch and not let this President have another term in office.
Marcus Allen
11 months ago
The president does not care about impoverished illegal immigrants. He cares about their vote and pushing his agenda on the American people. There is no level this guy will not stoop to in order to be reelected. He is a textbook soulless politician and possibly the most destructive and divisive president in the history of the United States. Disgusting.
Adella
11 months ago
Obama, is not the right man to run as president again, what I see here is he has not done nothing for our latinos, if you believe these man you will regret it, he just wants votes for another term. Your families don't have a a chance. And its only some of you. He wants you to take our rights no consciouses law, and abortions which we have lost 56 million babies. He don't want to reverse Roe vs wade we have an amendment 14 the right to over turn it. I am not against gays to each is own but he( Obama) has signed that they can get married, now our children in the near future will not no their gender. I pray that we as latinos think twice before we vote. Open your eyes young and old.He is not a good person and as president he has detroyed and our world. To many promises and no action. We as latinos have to get togather and and fight against his evil and lies that he is making believe people that this time he will give the promises he made when he became president. Beware my people he is lying to the people.

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