Thousands of illegal immigrants who entered the United States as minors can avoid being deported from the country and get work permits. This is made possible by the order that President Barack Obama issued last Friday. Work Permits

The move was made to get Hispanic voters on his side for the upcoming election in November. If he gets their vote, it increases his chances for re-election. According to estimates, the order can protect around 800,000 people from deportation proceedings for at least two years.

President Obama was reluctant in issuing such order in the past because Republicans in Congress blocked the immigration reform bills that he supported. He said that the recent move was the right thing to do.

The announcement of the order came on the 30th anniversary of a Supreme Court ruling that stated children of illegal immigrant parents were entitled to public education in the United States. This move differentiated President Obama from his rival Republican Mitt Romney.

Obama’s administration has been criticized by Hispanic groups for deporting around 400,000 illegal immigrants each year. Romney took a harsh stance against illegal immigration so that he can appeal to his party’s conservative voters.

President Obama maintained that his stop-gap policy didn’t grant amnesty to the children of illegal immigrants. He called them American in their hearts and minds but not on paper. Democrats and Republicans agreed that Congress will have the last say on the fate of immigrants who entered illegally into the United States with their parents.

Most Republicans want more law enforcement before they consider loosening immigration laws for the estimated 12 million people who are currently in the country by illegal means. President Obama said that his administration has taken steps to secure the southwestern border of the United States. This has been the entry point for most immigrants living illegally in the United States.