DOWNLOAD VIDEO President Obama’s controversial executive action Nov. 20 will allow nearly five million undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. The move will defer deportation for immigrants who have been in the U.S. for over five years and whose children are American citizens. After undergoing background checks and paying fees, they will qualify to receive work permits. It also gave law enforcement a greater focus on deporting people with criminal records. Many immigration advocates spoke out in support of the action, which they said recognizes the value of their hard work. The action will affect families, who are at risk of being separated due to mixed documentation status. “One of my biggest fears was always losing my mom, especially because my dad’s not around as much in our lives,” one woman said. Another said the order will benefit her son, who arrived in the U.S. when he was 13 years old and has since earned a master’s degree. “There’s so much frustration among the youth who have studied and can’t do anything,” she said. Many Republicans voiced opposition to the move, saying it overstepped the legal boundaries of presidential power. President Obama challenged Congress to take action. “To those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill,” Obama said.

---

Warm up questions

1. Have you ever moved within the United States? Whose decision was it? Was it difficult? Do you imagine it would be difficult to move to a foreign country?


2. Experts believe there are anywhere from 7 – 30 million immigrants living in the United States without legal visas or permits. What are some of the benefits and risks to the U.S. to having so many undocumented immigrants?

Critical thinking questions

1. In an address to the nation last Thursday, November 20 ^th , 2014, President Obama outlined his plan to change the American immigration system. President Obama described new rules this way: “If you’ve with been in America more than five years. If you have children who are American citizens or illegal residents. If you register, pass a criminal background check and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes, you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. That’s what this deal is.”
   
   
   Below are several quotes from people responding to President Obama’s new immigration executive order. Try to imagine the immigration status of the person behind each quote and why they would say what they did.  Do you agree or disagree with their statements? Make sure to explain the reasoning behind your answer.
   
   
   
   
   1. “We feel like we’re just being stepped on, and we’re not considered human beings. We’re just seen as people who are coming to this country to do illegal things or be criminals. Now we can breathe a little bit, but continue to fight for the rest of the millions of immigrants that continue to stay behind the shadows.”
   
   
   2. “I’m undocumented, and, unfortunately, I have a criminal record, so I am not eligible for this.”
   
   
   3. “ It’s a step forward. Because my son graduated, he has his master’s degree, but, unfortunately, he wasn’t able to do anything. He arrived when he was 13 years old. It’s such a big fight, and there’s so much frustration among the youth who have studied and can’t do anything. But what the president just did is a big achievement.”