Friday, November 21, 2014

President Obama Unveils New Action On Immigration

US President Barack Obama has unveiled sweeping actions aimed at shielding nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants in America from deportation, and granting work permits to some of them.

The so-called 'executive action' by the White House doesn't need any authorisation from Congress, and gives millions the ability to apply for 'deferred action status', which will grant them three years of protection from deportation, along with authorisation to work legally in the US.

But the plan doesn't include a path towards US citizenship, or access to health insurance. 

Mr. Obama explained one of the main planks of his action: 

IN: If you've been...
OUT: ...with the law
DUR: 23 seconds 


President Obama urged any lawmakers who disagreed with his actions to work to pass new legislation: 

IN: And to those...
OUT: ... no longer be necessary
DUR: 21 seconds


Mr. Obama warned Republicans in Congress not to shut down the government over the immigration issue: 

IN: Don't let a...
OUT: ... disagree on this
DUR: 12 seconds


The President denied that his actions were any kind of 'amnesty':

IN: All we're saying...
OUT: ...you'll be deported
DUR: 29 seconds


But the Republican party have already vowed to stop the action, accusing Mr. Obama of abusing his executive power. Here's House Speaker John Boehner:

IN: The President has...
OUT: ... to work together 
DUR: 10 seconds


Soon-to-be House Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said Mr. Obama isn't being fair on those who DON'T cheat the system: 

IN: What does the...
OUT: ...for good politics
DUR: 23 seconds