Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

3 takeaways from Obama’s immigration announcement

Obama

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

President Barack Obama speaks to the nation as seen on live broadcasts in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. Obama spoke about his executive action that will affect millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States.

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Rosa Lozano, from Washington, left, translates the speech into Spanish as others listen to President Obama's speech on tablets, during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. President Barack Obama announced executive actions on immigration during a nationally televised address.

Crowds rejoiced with cheers, hugs and tears at a Las Vegas community center Thursday evening as President Barack Obama formally announced his long-awaited plan for immigration reform.

About 150 people packed inside the Hermandad Mexicana community center to watch Obama speak and give a surprise shout out to local activist and former undocumented immigrant Astrid Silva.

"This is a huge, huge victory for our community," Silva told the crowd minutes before Obama took the podium, announcing his plan to defer deportations for 5 million undocumented immigrants.

Here are three takeaways on Obama's announcement:

Parents with children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will benefit most.

Immigrants who have been in the U.S. illegally for more than five years but whose children are citizens or residents can apply to stay. They have to pass background checks and pay a $500 fee to get relief and work permits for three years.

"I can't believe my parents get to stay. We've been waiting for this for so long," said Erika Castro, 25. "This is crazy. I felt super shaky when the president was talking. I got goosebumps."

The executive action also expands the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that allows some who arrived as children to apply for a deferral.

The action won't help people who came into the country recently, and it won't grant citizenship.

People who came into the country illegally in the past five years won't qualify for any relief.

And neither of the groups of people who qualify will get a green card or Social Security benefits.

"I'm filled with so many emotions. So many of us will finally sleep peacefully," said Maria Guadalupe Arreola, an undocumented immigrant who moved to Las Vegas from Guadalajara more than two decades ago. "This is an important battle. But we have yet to win the war."

Relief won't be immediate.

Once Obama formally signs the action at Del Sol High School on Friday, it'll be a few months before people can start applying for protection.

White House officials say the application process won't begin until spring.

Immigration experts warn that scammers might try to prey on the vulnerable.

"This is a moment of jubilation, but please remain calm so people don't try to rip you off and take your money," attorney Kathia Pereira told the crowd in Spanish. "Be very careful."

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