Romney Would Not Continue Obama Order on ImmigrationIf Mitt Romney successfully wins the election, he would not continue the Obama program that gives work permits and suspends deportation for undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as minors. Romney would not revoke the permits who obtain them before he would take office but he would not grant new ones after the date, which is January 20.

Romney critics said that the Republican candidate’s stance on the Obama order would affect more than one million people who are qualified for the program. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services started accepting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applications on August 15 and only 29 people have received deferred action and work permits.

Romney’s plan to discontinue the program clarified the statement he made in an interview where he said he would not revoke work permits issued under the DACA plan. His statement was unclear on whether he would keep DACA or not. For those who qualified for the program, they can’t be deported for two years and it can be renewed after it expires.

Romney wants a stricter approach regarding illegal immigration. He described DACA as a stop-gap measure that failed to solve the immigration problems. Those who criticized the program said that it was a form of amnesty that rewards lawbreakers.

Supporters of DACA argued that those qualified for DACA should not be punished for the actions of their parents. They said that they, as minors, had no say on the decisions of their parents. Most of them also support the DREAM Act, which is a measure that would give undocumented immigrants a way to legal permanent residence. The DREAM Act failed to get the approval of Congress.

Romney said to the Denver Post that DACA’s future was not his focus because he has his own immigration plan. DACA doesn’t involve a visa and doesn’t give legal status to people qualified for the program.