President Obama plans big announcements on United States immigration

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- President Obama is expected to make some big announcements about the immigration in this country Thursday evening. He plans to act without Congress to shield close to 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and give them legal status in the United States.

Francisca Vazquez knows firsthand what it's like to live with the fear that she could be separated from her family.

"It's very important that we can stay together as a family so she can receive the support from me," said Vazquez.

Vazquez came to Milwaukee from Mexico 14 years ago. Her two daughters are both American citizens.

Along with Obama's plans to shield these 5 million undocumented immigrants, also included in the move would be some immigrants brought to America as children, as well as parents of American citizens -- people like Vazquez.

"If we get papers that allow us to stay here united as a family, that means that they can keep you know studying and we can, you know, keep bettering our lives as a family," said Vazquez.

Some are calling the president's move a victory, but also say it's just one battle in a larger war.

"We would love to see a bill moved through Congress, we still want Congress to move a bill eventually -- but right now executive action is needed because real people's lives are being effected every single day," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director Voces De La Frontera.

Congressional republicans are opening not happy with the president's decision to act alone.

"The president should wait and give new congress enough time to work, it will see if we can come up with a bill -- but if he goes this way we're going to set this new congress off on the wrong foot I think it's going to tear the country apart at the seams," said U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisconsin.

Governor Walker sees the move as a way to distract from republicans triumph in the midterm election.

"If he was serious about it several mentioned this before he would have dealt with it when he had the house and the senate this has been a political tool for this president all along," said Walker.

Voces De La Frontera plans to hold an information session on the changes this Saturday, November 22nd, at 11 a.m. at South Division High School.

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