How Obama's latest immigration remarks affect the Tri-Cities
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- It's the news one million students have been waiting for. A lifeline to stay in the US for those who are undocumented and trying to live the American dream. President Obama decided these folks can now get a work permit to avoid deportation, and it's a welcomed relief to a number of local students who are undocumented.
Friday morning, the President explained, "It makes no sense to expel talented teenagers who for all intents and purposes are Americans."
Those Americans now have a new hope for their dreams.
KEPR met with OneAmerica representative Jasmin Santacruz who said, "As soon as they graduate from high school, what now? I can't get a job. If I do go to school its expensive and even thin if I get my degree, what am I gonna do with it."
They may now do a lot with it, thanks to a change in federal policy.
One student KEPR spoke to said, "I'm a double major in mechanical engineering and biology, I want to work on advancing prosthetics."
Another student added, "I want to be a doctor [and] go to medical school."
The change resembles the Dream Act, but came as a surprise announcement Friday.The President explained students who came here illegally as children will no longer be deported, so that they can contribute to the economy and a better quality of life in America.
Students who learned of the news explained, "It allows us to get better, to help everybody else and also help ourselves."
Other students added, "I'm not going to rent an apartment hoping I won't get get kicked out of the country. I'm going to buy a house, buy a car, those kinds of things."
The issue is not without contention. Opponents call this amnesty. Claiming it's a pass after new laws have deported thousands of undocumented residents.
Santacruz responded, "There's going to be misconceptions out there of what this is."
Eligible people must have moved to the states before they were 16, or be under 30 and lived here for five years or more. It's also very clear that to get a work permit, you need a clean criminal record.
Columbia Basin College's Student Body President explained to KEPR, "It's not as easy as saying lets go apply for papers. It's a long process for everyone and difficult."
Making more time for citizenship capabilities. is a big step for Latinos across the country and locally.
"Happiness all over. This is a major victory," Santacruz. "I think this is the first step and hopefully they're not going to leave it there."
The President's announcement comes in with the election right around the corner, where the Hispanic vote could be critical in swing states like Colorado, Nevada and Florida.
Friday morning, the President explained, "It makes no sense to expel talented teenagers who for all intents and purposes are Americans."
Those Americans now have a new hope for their dreams.
KEPR met with OneAmerica representative Jasmin Santacruz who said, "As soon as they graduate from high school, what now? I can't get a job. If I do go to school its expensive and even thin if I get my degree, what am I gonna do with it."
They may now do a lot with it, thanks to a change in federal policy.
One student KEPR spoke to said, "I'm a double major in mechanical engineering and biology, I want to work on advancing prosthetics."
Another student added, "I want to be a doctor [and] go to medical school."
The change resembles the Dream Act, but came as a surprise announcement Friday.The President explained students who came here illegally as children will no longer be deported, so that they can contribute to the economy and a better quality of life in America.
Students who learned of the news explained, "It allows us to get better, to help everybody else and also help ourselves."
Other students added, "I'm not going to rent an apartment hoping I won't get get kicked out of the country. I'm going to buy a house, buy a car, those kinds of things."
The issue is not without contention. Opponents call this amnesty. Claiming it's a pass after new laws have deported thousands of undocumented residents.
Santacruz responded, "There's going to be misconceptions out there of what this is."
Eligible people must have moved to the states before they were 16, or be under 30 and lived here for five years or more. It's also very clear that to get a work permit, you need a clean criminal record.
Columbia Basin College's Student Body President explained to KEPR, "It's not as easy as saying lets go apply for papers. It's a long process for everyone and difficult."
Making more time for citizenship capabilities. is a big step for Latinos across the country and locally.
"Happiness all over. This is a major victory," Santacruz. "I think this is the first step and hopefully they're not going to leave it there."
The President's announcement comes in with the election right around the corner, where the Hispanic vote could be critical in swing states like Colorado, Nevada and Florida.
