Obama grants deportation immunity to young illegal immigrants

US President Barack Obama announced a controversial policy change - seemingly smart election-year politics for a commander in chief who is counting on Latino votes in November - that could affect about 800,000 immigrants who have led law-abiding lives since arriving in the US, NYDaily News reported.

Immunity from deportation will be granted for illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they turned 16 and have not yet turned 30 - but it does not establish a path to citizenship.

The policy change - in part modeled on the controversial DREAM Act - will be enacted through a presidential order and will bypass Congress.

"These are young people who study in our schools, play in our neighborhoods - they are friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag," said Obama. "They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way except one - on paper."

The executive move is a stark switch for the Obama administration, which deported more than 1 million illegal immigrants during its first three years in office - more than any previous President.

Republicans cried foul.

"I will tell you that - I'm not without experience on this - I'm prepared to bring a suit and seek a court order to stop implementation of this policy," Iowa Rep. Steve King told a national radio show.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio accused Obama of "once again ignoring the Constitution.

"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who has advocated for stricter immigration laws, echoed Rubio and denounced the plan.

"If I'm President, we'll do our very best to have that long-term solution," said Romney during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. "An executive order is, of course, just a short-term matter that can be reversed by subsequent Presidents."

The President's decision, however, was cheered by Democrats, local leaders and immigration activists.

"Ending deportations of innocent young people who have the potential to drive tomorrow's economy is long overdue," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Smart immigration policy protects our borders while ensuring America remains the destination for all those willing to work hard and dream big."

"President Obama has taken bold action to make sure our children have a chance to fulfill their dreams," added Camille Rivera, executive director of UnitedNY.

Those eligible to stay in the U.S. must have lived in the country for at least five consecutive years, have no criminal record and have either graduated from high school, earned a GED or served in the armed forces.

Obama announced the order during an afternoon press conference that was interrupted by a reporter from a conservative website who asked the whether the President favored foreigners over Americans.

"It is the right thing to do for the American people," responded a visibly angry Obama, "and here's why: because these young people are going to be extraordinary contributions to our society."

The decision also allows the illegal immigrants to apply for two-year work permits that can be renewed without limit.

Those who want the immunity have 60 days to come forward.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said the administration still supported the stalled DREAM Act, which would offer citizenship to illegal immigrants.

The bill was blocked in Congress two years ago.

The policy change could pay electoral dividends for Obama, who was the overwhelming choice among Latino voters in 2008 and will be relying on their support this fall to deliver key swing states like Florida, Colorado and Nevada.

Although Obama consistently outpolls Romney among Latinos, his previous deportation policies had come under increasing fire from Hispanic leaders, sparking fears in the White House that turnout could be lower this November.

Both Obama and Romney are scheduled to speak at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials in Orlando next week.