Actually the Republican's are really not cool with this idea.
President Barack Obama has ordered far -reaching
changes to the US immigration system that will
protect nearly 5 million people from deportation ,
testing the limits of his presidential powers and
inviting a showdown with newly emboldened
Republicans.
In a speech on Thursday night , Obama announced
plans to protect nearly 5 million immigrants living
illegally in the United States from deportation by
granting them work permits; millions more would
remain in limbo.
Obama said his executive actions were a
"commonsense" plan consistent with what previous
presidents of both parties had done.
"To those members of Congress who question my
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 , " Obama said .
Republicans, who take full control of Congress in
January after capturing the Senate from
Democrats, warned that Obama would face serious
consequences for what they described as an
unconstitutional power grab.
"The president will come to regret the chapter
history writes if he does move forward ," declared
Senator Mitch McConnell , the Republican who is
soon to become the Senate majority leader, hours
before Obama primetime address .
Republicans were united in opposing Obama ' s
move but divided on how to respond . Lawmakers
have raised options including lawsuits , a
government shutdown and even impeachment.
Party leaders who are seeking to avoid a
government shutdown say such moves could
backfire and anger voters ahead of the next
presidential election in two years.
Al Jazeera' s Andy Gallacher, reporting from
Florida , said that the biggest sentiment among a
group of people watching the televised address
was that they were " one step closer " .
"People do realise that whatever happens in this
executive order , it is a temporary reprieve. But
what they ultimately want is a comprehensive
immigration reform, " said our correspondent ,
adding that they are calling on the parties to have
a bipartisan agreement for a concrete solution .
"It gives these people , who President Obama said
were living in the shadows , some kind of hope for
the future . "
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