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-30136245

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Obama offer to 5m illegal migrants Barack Obama enforces US immigration overhaul
(about 3 hours later)
Nearly five million people living illegally in the US can escape deportation under sweeping changes to the immigration system. Millions of immigrants living illegally in the US will be allowed to apply for work permits under a major shake-up unveiled by President Barack Obama.
"Come out of the shadows and get right with the law," urged President Barack Obama in a televised address. They include immigrants living in the US for five years who have children staying legally in the US.
Republicans say the action, without Congress, is beyond his authority and relations will now be poisoned. Overall up to five million are expected to benefit from a package of changes forced through using executive orders that allow Mr Obama to bypass Congress.
There are about 11m illegal immigrants in the US and this year children coming across the border prompted a crisis. Republicans have accused the president of an "illegal power-grab".
Under the plan, undocumented parents of children who are US citizens or legal residents will be able to apply for work permits lasting three years. There are estimated to be 11 million illegal immigrants in the US.
Only parents who have lived in the US for five years will qualify - about 3.7m people are estimated to fit this criteria. Under Mr Obama's plan, undocumented parents of children who are US citizens or legal residents will be able to apply for work permits lasting three years.
The president told the nation that what he is proposing is not amnesty. Only parents who have lived in the US for five years will qualify - about four million people are estimated to fit this criterion.
"What I'm describing is accountability - a commonsense, middle ground approach," he said. Hundreds of thousands more will benefit from other changes, including a decision to broaden a scheme giving temporary legal status to those who arrived in the US as children.
Although the plan will allow millions to work, it won't offer a path to citizenship or entitle them to the same benefits as Americans, he said. "Come out of the shadows and get right with the law," Mr Obama said in a televised address.
"If you're a criminal, you'll be deported. If you plan to enter the US illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up." He insisted his proposals did not amount to an amnesty.
The plan will also expand a 2012 programme that defers deportation for young people brought to the country illegally as children. "What I'm describing is accountability - a common-sense, middle ground approach," he said.
Also in the speech: Although the plan will allow millions to work, it will not offer a path to citizenship or entitle them to the same benefits as Americans, he said.
The plan reflects "the guidance [Mr Obama] has received from the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General about everything he could do under the existing law", a senior administration official said on Thursday. "If you're a criminal, you'll be deported. If you plan to enter the US illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up," he said.
"It's entirely consistent with the way previous presidents have exercised their executive authority."
Analysis: Jon Sopel, BBC North America EditorAnalysis: Jon Sopel, BBC North America Editor
How has the immigration debate in the United States become so polarised, so toxic, so unpleasant?How has the immigration debate in the United States become so polarised, so toxic, so unpleasant?
That it has cannot be doubted. Barack Obama says he has grown so weary of trying to get Congress to engage seriously that he is going it alone.That it has cannot be doubted. Barack Obama says he has grown so weary of trying to get Congress to engage seriously that he is going it alone.
He's bypassing the legislature and brandishing his big stick - the executive order. It is governance by diktat. And the reaction of his opponents suggests it will spark an atmosphere of retaliation and revenge.He's bypassing the legislature and brandishing his big stick - the executive order. It is governance by diktat. And the reaction of his opponents suggests it will spark an atmosphere of retaliation and revenge.
How did immigration debate get so toxic?How did immigration debate get so toxic?
Republicans reacted with fury and said such a move would "poison the well" on a number of other issues. Republicans reacted with fury and said the move would "poison the well" on a number of other issues.
Arizona Republican Senator John McCain called it an "illegal power-grab" that "fails to address the root causes of the dysfunction in our immigration system".Arizona Republican Senator John McCain called it an "illegal power-grab" that "fails to address the root causes of the dysfunction in our immigration system".
And Texas Governor Rick Perry, who leads a border state, argued the move would "lead to more illegal immigration, not less".And Texas Governor Rick Perry, who leads a border state, argued the move would "lead to more illegal immigration, not less".
Some Hispanic campaigners called on the president to do more. An Obama aide rebuffed the criticism, saying the president had taken advice from the secretary of homeland security and the attorney general about the action.
"President Obama's important move forward on immigration reform is legally and morally right but deficient in its scope," said Maria Teresa Kumar, president of Voto Latino. "It's entirely consistent with the way previous presidents have exercised their executive authority," the aide said.
Mr Obama's plan does not go as far as a Senate bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants but it was never passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Mr Obama's plan does not go as far as a Senate bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
The US president has said he would sign a compromise bill on immigration from Congress if it passed. That bill was never passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
On Thursday, Mr Obama said those who questioned his 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". On Thursday, Mr Obama said those who questioned his authority to use executive orders should simply pass a bill in Congress.
Will you be affected by Mr Obama's immigration reform? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.Will you be affected by Mr Obama's immigration reform? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.
Have your sayHave your say