.
Feedback

Patch’s Poll: Should Illegal Immigrants Who Came Here as Children Face Deportation?

The Obama administration said it will stop deporting some illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old. What are your thoughts on this?

President Barack Obama announced last week that his administration will stop deporting illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children and who pose no security threat.

According to CNN, under the new policy, people younger than 30 who came to the United States before the age of 16, pose no criminal or security threat, and were successful students or served in the military can get a two-year deferral from deportation.

These youths will also have to prove they have been in the country for at least five years, the news network said.

Obama said his executive order would make immigration policy “more fair, more efficient and more just,” according to CNN.

"This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix," the president said.

The issue has sparked debate among news organizations, political pundits and ordinary citizens, as to whether this is a good move now.

On a local level, Connecticut saw a similar situation like this back in 2004, when a Norwich Free Academy graduate, Majan Jean, was facing deportation because she came to the U.S. illegally when she was 12, according to the Hartford Courant. She avoided being sent to her native Haiti because of legislation that was pending at the time in Congress.

We want to know what you think.

Do you think illegal immigrants, brought here as children and are now under the age of 30, should face deportation? Regardless of their social standing in society? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from East Hampton-Portland Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Loading comments ...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Frank April 2, 2013 at 11:02 pm
China will take out NK before we will. Not the US with this Administration.
Big K April 2, 2013 at 07:50 pm
In North Korea we have the Same old S - - T as we had with his Father and Grandfather. If they wantRead More to destroy their country, Bring it on! He is nothing but a BIG MOUTH. I feel sorry for the N. Korean people to have such a jerk as this dictator. It is too bad they don't have a good democracy.
Big K April 2, 2013 at 07:49 pm
In North Korea we have the Same ole S - - T as we had with his Father and Grandfather. If they wantRead More to distroy their country, Bring it on! He is nothing but a BIG MOUTH. I feel sory for the N. Korean people to have such a jerk as this dicttaor. it is too bad they don't have a good democrocy
unknownauthor March 31, 2013 at 01:40 pm
I feel fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors who are so kind, helpful, and look after eachRead More other. Lauren Crowley
Paul Ruimerman March 29, 2013 at 08:16 pm
Why exclude the crime scene photos? If those were released you would see some real gun legislationRead More passed when people saw what those bullets did to those little children. The only unconstitutional laws passed so far are the restrictions the NRA has managed to get passed that make it difficult for the government to even trace stolen weapons. When I was young the NRA taught us how to properly handle weapons. Now the NRA is more concerned with keeping their high paying jobs by feeding their members misinformation. If you are a hunter and need more than one bullet to fell your prey, you need target practice.
Jim in Durham March 28, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Agreed,all of it (except crime scene photos) . There is no prosecution to plan,no reason to keepRead More data secret . It gives the impression that people with a agenda are trying to hide something until possibly unconstitiutional laws are passed . Why no word on his medical conditions ? Does Hippa apply after death ?
jake hobart March 28, 2013 at 08:38 pm
All of it should be made public. Lawmakers are crafting new legislation that is going to affectRead More every person in the state. We have a right to know what these new laws are being based on.