LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Barack Obama says he took steps on his own to fix the immigration system because it’s been “broken” for a long time and “everybody knows it.”
Obama says after a year and a half of waiting it was time to do something about it.
Speaking at the Las Vegas high school where he launched his drive for Congress to send him an immigration bill, Obama outlined steps he has taken to help millions of people living in the country illegally.
They are designed to make nearly 5 million of those immigrants eligible for protection from deportation and for work permits.
Obama’s action would also re-order enforcement priorities by emphasizing the deportation of new illegal arrivals and criminals.
He announced the executive actions in a nationally televised address Thursday night.
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