US President Saves 4.5M Illegal Immigrants From Deportation

US President Barack Obama has signed two executive actions that would enable millions of illegal immigrants stay in the US and temporarily escape deportation.

Obama took the step on Friday, November 21, in a bid to keep families of illegal immigrants from being torn apart by deportation.

Obama said:

"Our immigration system has been broken for a very long time and everybody knows it," he said in his remarks. "We can't afford it anymore."

However, not every illegal immigrant will qualify for the exemption

"The actions I've taken are only a temporary first step. Not everyone will qualify,” Obama added.

The action will enable only parents of United States citizens or legal permanent residents who have been in the country for five years, and young people who were brought into the country illegally as of 2010 to stay in the country for three more years without fear of deportation.

“If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law but if you’re a criminal, you’ll be deported,” the president said.

President Obama’s executive action bypassed the Republican-controlled congress and the opposition lawmakers have vowed to fight the decision.