Obama Says Immigration Change is 'Right Thing To Do'

By Sophie Quinton | Friday, June 15, 2012 | 2:06 p.m.

President Obama on Friday announced that his administration will no longer deport young undocumented immigrants, but will instead start giving them work permits. Obama said throughout brief remarks in the Rose Garden that the move is “the right thing to do,” and he criticized Republican lawmakers for opposing legislation that would give young immigrants a path to citizenship.

“It makes no sense to expel talented young people who, for all intents and purposes, are Americans-- who have been raised as Americans, who understand themselves to be Americans,” Obama said.

“Let’s be clear: this is not amnesty, this is not immunity, this is not a path to citizenship, it is not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stop-gap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely, while giving a sense of relief to driven young people,” Obama said.

Obama pledged to continue fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, and for the Dream Act.

“There’s no reason that we can’t come together to get this done, and as long as I’m president I will not give up on this issue,” Obama said.

A Daily Caller reporter yelled out a question as Obama was speaking, and the president responded sternly. “It is the right thing to do for the American people, and here’s why. Here’s the reason. Because these young people who are going to make extraordinary contributions, and are already making extraordinary contributions to our society,” he said.