Obama immigration plan: Advocates offer mixed reactions
"Immigration advocates and attorneys had mixed reactions Friday to the Obama administration's announcement that it would grant relief from deportation to some young immigrants.
Some were encouraged, saying the policy change could spare many young people from living under threat of deportation. Others questioned the sincerity of the administration.
Matthew Kolken, an immigration attorney, said he was highly skeptical about the administration’s plans.
“Our president for the last 3½ years has turned his back on the Hispanic electorate that was instrumental in getting him into office and now he’s trying to extend an olive branch because he has another election a few months away,” Kolken said.
Kolken added that he would take a case-by-case approach with his clients. “If an individual has been in the U.S. and they want to make a request for this action they’re exposing themselves to the possibility of removal proceedings and the possibility that their request will be denied. So it’s a tough call,” he said. “For the people who have already been encountered [by immigration authorities] obviously this is another avenue to kick the can down the road.”
The proposed change, Kolken noted, “doesn’t confer any type of lawful status to anyone who receives deferred action. They’d be placed in immigration limbo … the few people who will benefit are the people who are able to receive a work permit.”"
Click here to read the source.
No comments:
Post a Comment