As many as five million undocumented immigrants could be able to avoid deportation under President Barack Obama’s upcoming executive actions on immigration, which could come as soon as next week, the New York Times reported Thursday.
The plans have not been finalized, but the Times cited “sources with direct knowledge” of the president’s intentions. The actions could come as soon as next week or be pushed until December, but they will come before the new year, according to the Times.
Up to 3.3 million parents whose children are U.S. citizens or legal residents could receive work permits under Obama’s order. How long those people have lived in the United States will be a key factor: More than 3 million could be given legal status if the threshold is five years, but that could shrink to 2.5 million if the residency threshold is 10 years.
Another million-plus people who came to the United States illegally as children — as well as their parents — could also be granted legal protections.
Obama would still prioritize deportation of convicted criminals and those who have recently come across the border, according to the Times.
