Obama announces sweeping immigration reform with executive order

As many people have heard, President Barack Obama recently made an executive order that will overhaul U.S. immigration law for the time being. It promises numerous positive outcomes for people who are in the United States without legal status, and it could lead to some truly great changes to our country’s immigration laws in the future.

However, that is all speculation, and though this story has become a highly politicized one, let’s just focus on the immigration elements in play for the sake of this post. Obama’s order has an impact on many different people living in the U.S. Here are a few of the key points from his order:

  • There is a new legal status that people can apply for which will defer the individual’s deportation from the country, if that individual is the parent of a U.S. citizen. The person will need to meet a number of other criteria, but it is a crucial option for many people.
  • There is also a measure for foreign-born students who want to qualify through the DREAM program.
  • There will also be extended visas for students who graduate from American universities and have “high-tech skills.”

Even though on paper all of these new rules sound great and beneficial, there can still be complications. The most well-meaning of laws can have complicating factors and situations that require the people dealing with them to seek legal help. If you are trying to remain in the United States, you should consult an experienced immigration attorney.

Source: Gawker, “New Immigration Policy Will Protect Millions From Immediate Deportation,” Gabrielle Bluestone, Nov. 21, 2014