This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30118785
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Obama to announce major US immigration changes | Obama to announce major US immigration changes |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama will this week announce his plans to use overriding executive powers to enact major changes to immigration policy. | US President Barack Obama will this week announce his plans to use overriding executive powers to enact major changes to immigration policy. |
He will unveil his strategy in a televised address on Thursday night, he said in a video posted on Facebook. | He will unveil his strategy in a televised address on Thursday night, he said in a video posted on Facebook. |
The action could lift the threat of deportation for up to five million undocumented migrants. | The action could lift the threat of deportation for up to five million undocumented migrants. |
Republicans in Congress say such action would be beyond Mr Obama's authority and have vowed to fight the initiative. | Republicans in Congress say such action would be beyond Mr Obama's authority and have vowed to fight the initiative. |
Following the announcement, Congressman Paul Ryan warned the president's immigration order was a "partisan bomb" that will sour his relations with Congress. | |
White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Wednesday that the aim was to make illegal immigrants "fully contributing" members of society, for the good of the country. | |
Analysis by Thomas Sparrow, BBC Mundo: | Analysis by Thomas Sparrow, BBC Mundo: |
Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for President Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, in part because of his promise to repair what he called the country's "broken" immigration system. | Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for President Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, in part because of his promise to repair what he called the country's "broken" immigration system. |
But six years after he came to power, many Hispanics have become disappointed in the president by the lack of a comprehensive immigration reform. | But six years after he came to power, many Hispanics have become disappointed in the president by the lack of a comprehensive immigration reform. |
Although there are still questions regarding how many undocumented immigrants will ultimately be covered by his unilateral actions and how easy it will be to implement them with a Republican-controlled Congress, the measures will probably play an important part in President Obama's remaining two years in the White House, as he seeks to build his legacy. | Although there are still questions regarding how many undocumented immigrants will ultimately be covered by his unilateral actions and how easy it will be to implement them with a Republican-controlled Congress, the measures will probably play an important part in President Obama's remaining two years in the White House, as he seeks to build his legacy. |
The announcement and its implementation could also have an impact on the 2016 election cycle, because both Democratic and Republican hopefuls will want to attract the increasingly important Hispanic vote. | The announcement and its implementation could also have an impact on the 2016 election cycle, because both Democratic and Republican hopefuls will want to attract the increasingly important Hispanic vote. |
It is thought the president will extend his "deferred action" plan (Daca) which allows young adults who were brought to the US illegally as children to stay and work. | |
The plan is to extend that right to more young people and to more parents of children who are US citizens or legal residents. | |
The number of those affected by the suggested policy could be as high as five million, out of a total of 11m illegal immigrants. | |
Other parts of the executive action reported by the media include: | Other parts of the executive action reported by the media include: |
At a news conference during a visit to Myanmar last week, Mr Obama said he had given the House of Representatives more than a year to come up with an immigration bill but they had failed to do so. | At a news conference during a visit to Myanmar last week, Mr Obama said he had given the House of Representatives more than a year to come up with an immigration bill but they had failed to do so. |
The Senate passed a far-reaching immigration bill in 2013, but the House has not taken up the legislation. | The Senate passed a far-reaching immigration bill in 2013, but the House has not taken up the legislation. |
"There has been ample opportunity for Congress to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would strengthen our borders, improve the legal immigration system and lift millions of people out of the shadows," he said. | "There has been ample opportunity for Congress to pass a bipartisan immigration bill that would strengthen our borders, improve the legal immigration system and lift millions of people out of the shadows," he said. |
"I said that if in fact Congress failed to act, I would use all the lawful authority I possess to try to make the system work better," he added. "And that's going to happen before the end of the year." | "I said that if in fact Congress failed to act, I would use all the lawful authority I possess to try to make the system work better," he added. "And that's going to happen before the end of the year." |
But Republicans in Congress said the president should work with them. | But Republicans in Congress said the president should work with them. |
"We're going to fight the president tooth and nail if he continues down this path," House Speaker John Boehner earlier told reporters. | "We're going to fight the president tooth and nail if he continues down this path," House Speaker John Boehner earlier told reporters. |
Some Republicans are pushing for the budget bill to include a statement prohibiting "the use of appropriated funds for the president's immigration machinations". | Some Republicans are pushing for the budget bill to include a statement prohibiting "the use of appropriated funds for the president's immigration machinations". |
Such a move could provoke a block by the Democrats, or a veto by the president, which in turn raises the risk of a government shutdown. | Such a move could provoke a block by the Democrats, or a veto by the president, which in turn raises the risk of a government shutdown. |