WASHINGTON -- Bundled in winter coats, dozens of immigrants stood in front of the White House to watch and hear President Barack Obama via livestream on tablets and cell phones explain why he is taking executive action on immigration.
Huddling tightly around their mobile devices, those gathered let out occasional cheers and whoops as the president's speech unfolded.
Some held battery-operated tea lights while some held American flags and signs that said "Gracias, Presidente Obama" with outlines of hand-holding families along the bottom.
Some chanted, "Obama, Amigo, El Pueblo esta contigo!", which means, "Obama, Friend, The Community Is With You!
When his speech ended, some shouted, "Si se pudo!" which means, "Yes, we could!"
"Oh my God, this is good!" shouted Miguel Correa, an immigrant who has been in the U.S. illegally for 14 years. "Thanks, Obama!"
In a brief, 10-minute speech, Obama laid out a case for issuing executive actions that would spare about 5 million immigrants from deportation. The president outlined a 3-part plan which included more resources for the border, as well as relief from deportation for parents who have been illegally in the U.S. for more than 5 years but whose children are citizens or lawful permanent residents. The president emphasized this is not a path to citizenship or legalization, but those who qualify will be granted relief from deportation for three years and get work permits.
Obama also broadened deferred deportation for young immigrants. Instead of eligibility for young people who came to the U.S. before 2007, it will now extend to 2010, and applicants no longer have to be under 31.
While executive action would apply to less than half of the estimated 11 million immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, for immigrants like Correa, the announcement was a life-changing event.
“The president is giving me a shot,”said Correa, 32, of Stafford, Va. “This is going to help me by being able to get my plumbing license and register my business in a better way with the county, [and] with the state," said Correa, adding it would help him get better contracts and maybe even be able to hire more people.
Several months ago Janet Murguia, executive director of the National Council of La Raza,referred to Obama as "Deporter in Chief" as frustration built over the lack of action on immigration. But after the President's speech, Murguia said it was a victory for common sense.
"I thought it was very compelling, very powerful and very reaffirming - this is a milestone moment for so many millions of American families who have lived in the shadows," Murguia said on MSNBC.
Correa was happy that this was his chance to step out of the shadows and eventually be able to join family members who are American citizens. He said he has been active in the push for immigration reform since hundreds of thousands of immigrants flooded the streets of major U.S. cities in 2006 rallying for reform.
