President Barack Obama’s action on immigration completely changed the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants living and working in the U.S. for the better.
The president’s immigration reform proves our country’s dedication to freedom and helping others. Republicans will continue to refute, but implementing the reform will keep families together and give hope to millions of immigrants that a better life is within close reach.
There are over 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., according to a 2011 estimate by Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project.
After a long road of outwardly bitter debate with congressional Republicans over the nation’s immigration policies, Obama finally made the executive decision to temporarily shield up to 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and allow them to seek employment legally.
The president announced that he would provide a three-year deferment of deportation to qualified undocumented parents of legal U.S. citizens and provide more protection to Dreamers, children who entered the country illegally with their parents. This will allow those within the two groups to legally work and live in the U.S. after agreeing to a mandatory background check and paying a fee.
Although the president’s executive decision does not promise ultimate citizenship, the three-year deportation relief of select undocumented immigrants is a good decision with a positive outlook on the future of the economy. In recent years our country has been striving for an economic boost and Obama’s new policy could be the answer.
With new work authorizations and the ability to apply for a wider range of jobs, the reform will permit undocumented immigrants to obtain jobs based on skill and experience without obstructing workers who have the proper qualifications. Increasing the population with undocumented immigrants who can legally work in the U.S. will increase the total population, resulting in increased consumer spending, demand for residential housing and wages overall.
In addition to the economic benefits, this reform brings a sense of safety to the immigrants living in the U.S., assuring that they will return to their families safely, without facing the risk of immediate deportation. Keeping families together is an important value that we should support, regardless of a person’s national origin.
One of the main counterarguments directed toward the president’s proposal is that it will attract even more undocumented immigrants to the U.S. with the thought process that if they come the states, stay here for long enough, create a strong family and stay out of legal trouble, they will eventually be granted legality.
Obama really lived up to his campaign promise with this immigration reform. It will relieve so much anxiety and strife from people and their families, employment status and living situations while simultaneously putting Republicans into a tight corner. It would be brutal to reverse the president’s proposition after promising U.S.-born children that their parents could stay, and would not look good for future Republican presidential candidates.
