It may be temporary and reversible, but President Obama’s announcement Friday of a safe harbor from deportation and permission to work offers a welcome ray of hope to young illegal immigrants brought to this country as children.
It’s a humane policy change that is geared toward helping young people who have pursued an education or have served in the military — precisely those who should be encouraged.
The president’s move elicited predictable howls of protest from opponents of any sort of immigration reform, including members of Congress who think the White House is doing an end run around their authority.
Unfortunately, the president’s action does not comprise the sort of permanent and broad change that Congress has had every opportunity to enact, but has failed to do.
The policy change announced Friday is narrow and does not offer citizenship or even permanent legal status. What it does is target a segment of illegal immigrants, approximately 800,000, who would have benefitted from the DREAM Act, which Congress blocked in 2010.
It applies to those who are no older than 30 and who came to this country before they were 16. They must have earned a high school degree, be currently enrolled in school or have served in the military. No one with a criminal background involving a felony or multiple or serious misdemeanors will be considered.
People who fit that category will be able to obtain two-year “deferred action” that, in essence, neutralizes the threat of deportation. After getting a deferral, they may apply for a work permit.
The ability to be legally employed is the game changer for this group of young people, who have lived among us but in the shadows.
“These are young people who study in our schools, play in our neighborhoods, are friends with our kids, who pledge allegiance to our flag,” President Obama said Friday. “They are Americans in their hearts and minds and in every single way but one — on paper.”
Of course, the change in Department of Homeland Security policy could very well help the president politically, as he faces tough contests in swing states with significant numbers of Latino voters, including Colorado. We understand the potential political benefit.
That doesn’t detract, however, from the conclusion that the policy change is welcome and beneficial, and not just to the illegal immigrants to whom it applies.
The Obama administration has deported a record number of illegal immigrants, with a stated focus on those with criminal backgrounds.
However, this latest move shows an understanding of the need to encourage the most productive immigrants by offering them a way — even if temporarily — to lead constructive lives while waiting and hoping for comprehensive immigration reform.
