Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Live coverage: Immigration activists react to Obama reform announcement

Obama

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

President Barack Obama speaks to the nation as seen on live broadcasts in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. Obama spoke about his executive action that will affect millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States.

Local immigration activists are gathering this evening to watch President Barack Obama formally announce his long-awaited plan for immigration reform.

Obama's executive action will defer deportations for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants and extend visas for highly skilled workers. Joined by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, he’ll announce his plans to the nation in a prime-time TV address at 5 p.m.

Friday afternoon Obama will formally sign the orders at Del Sol High School. Nevada has the highest population share of undocumented immigrants in the country, according to Pew.

The main beneficiaries of the president's actions are immigrants who have been in the U.S. illegally for more than five years but whose children are citizens or permanent residents. After passing background checks and paying fees, those individuals can now be granted relief from deportation for three years and get work permits.

The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada organized two watch parties to track the announcement Thursday night. The Las Vegas watch party is at Hermandad Mexicana, 2915 W. Charleston Blvd. No. 4.

"It's important to provide relief to families so they can have some sense of stability, but in the long run, we still need a comprehensive bill to fix our broken immigration system," said Rosa Molina, manager of PLAN's citizen program in Reno.

For updates from the Las Vegas watch party, follow along here or on Twitter @la__ley.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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