According to administration officials, President Obama will announce a 10-part plan for drastically overhauling the U.S. immigration system – with or without Congress’ consent in the coming weeks.
The president’s plan was revealed recently in a draft proposal that may be officially announced as early as November 21. However, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that the president has not made any final decisions about which of the 10 initiatives he intends to enforce with executive action.
One of the most notable and controversial parts of the proposal would expand deferred action from illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to also include the parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. The move would allow roughly 4.5 million illegal immigrants to stay in the country.
The plan would also revise how specialty visas for high-tech workers are counted. Rather than counting each member of the visa holder’s family, it would count the head of the family only, leaving room for another half-million high-tech workers to enter the country legally.
Additional plans include:
- A raise for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers
- Revised removal priorities to target serious criminals
- Provide extra resources to the U.S. border’s security
For proponents of immigration reform, many of the 10-part plan’s elements are based on similar promises Obama made while running for reelection. Whether he follows through on these promises remains to be seen.
If you or a loved one needs an Austin immigration lawyer, look no further than Peek Law Group . Our aggressive legal team understands that immigration can be complex and nerve-wracking, and we are here to help you reach the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Do not wait to call us at (512) 399-2311.