Arkansas and President Obama's Immigration Changes
By: Marci Manley
Updated: June 15, 2012
"I'm just really really happy. It's not what we want and what we deserve, but it's a step in the right direction," Luis Miguel Lopez said.
Lopez is among those in Central Arkansas, celebrating with others across the country following President Obama issuing an executive order to suspend deportation of young illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. before they turned 16.
Lopez's parents brought him to the United States when he was two on a tourist visa, and they overstayed their visit by about 15 years. He attended public schools, and eventually graduated.
When he turned 18, he faced the dilemma of staying in the U.S. as an illegal alien or return to Mexico to come into the country legally. He applied for a student visa and returned to the states.
But he's hoping the president's decision keeps other kids like him from facing the same fate.
"You have these kids who are going to High School, and they're like what's the point? I can't get a job, driver's license. I can't even join the military and fight for the country we all love. They're faced with this uncertainty, and they don't know what to do. This is a step in the right direction, hopefully, for the sake of our future."
But Jeannie Bulsworth, founder of Secure Arkansas, isn't as pleased with the president's decision.
"Absolutely not, we are definitely opposed to this. If I'm not mistaken, the Obama administration said it was not amnesty, but it certainly is. I believe they've circumvented the laws already on the books as far as federal law goes," she said.
"Children brought here, under law, are considered deportable at 18 and a half," she said. "Unfortunately when parents bring them here illegally someone has to pay the consequences."
Bulsworth is concerned about the impact on unemployed Americans, the economy, and the nation's sovereignty.
Lopez is among those in Central Arkansas, celebrating with others across the country following President Obama issuing an executive order to suspend deportation of young illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. before they turned 16.
Lopez's parents brought him to the United States when he was two on a tourist visa, and they overstayed their visit by about 15 years. He attended public schools, and eventually graduated.
When he turned 18, he faced the dilemma of staying in the U.S. as an illegal alien or return to Mexico to come into the country legally. He applied for a student visa and returned to the states.
But he's hoping the president's decision keeps other kids like him from facing the same fate.
"You have these kids who are going to High School, and they're like what's the point? I can't get a job, driver's license. I can't even join the military and fight for the country we all love. They're faced with this uncertainty, and they don't know what to do. This is a step in the right direction, hopefully, for the sake of our future."
But Jeannie Bulsworth, founder of Secure Arkansas, isn't as pleased with the president's decision.
"Absolutely not, we are definitely opposed to this. If I'm not mistaken, the Obama administration said it was not amnesty, but it certainly is. I believe they've circumvented the laws already on the books as far as federal law goes," she said.
"Children brought here, under law, are considered deportable at 18 and a half," she said. "Unfortunately when parents bring them here illegally someone has to pay the consequences."
Bulsworth is concerned about the impact on unemployed Americans, the economy, and the nation's sovereignty.
Comments
When I was 5 , my parents uprooted me from the place of my birth and moved me thousands of miles away...it wasn't my choice. I'm kinda glad California didn't deport me back to Washington D.C.
Peter D.
June 16, 2012 at 9:50 am
When I was % , my parents uprooted me from the place of my birth and moved me thousands of miles away...it wasn't my choice. I'm kinda glad California didn't deport me back to Washington D.C.
Peter D.
June 16, 2012 at 9:49 am
When I was % , my parents uprooted me from the place of my birth and moved me thousands of miles away...it wasn't my choice. I'm kinda glad California didn't deport me back to Washington D.C.
Peter D.
June 16, 2012 at 9:49 am
Indians were here first
David H.
June 16, 2012 at 2:37 am
Indians were here first
David H.
June 16, 2012 at 2:37 am
Christopher Columbus was Hispanic, here illegally & w/o papers. I wonder if Ms. Bulsworth would have asked him to leave....no....I guess not. He was here first.
Dan L.
June 15, 2012 at 11:48 pm
