Greiling Spells Out Obama's Immigration Policy Shift

Editor's note: State Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, on Friday issued the following email update to constituents:

"Last Friday (June 15), President Obama announced a change in U.S. immigration policy. There is much controversy about our immigration laws, so I thought it would be helpful to provide some details about the initiative.

Effective immediately, young people who were brought to the United States by their families as children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be eligible for some relief from fear of removal from the country. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. The key criteria are as follows:

• Came to the United States under the age of sixteen;

• Have continuously resided in the United States for a least five years preceding the date of this memorandum and are present in the United States on the date of this memorandum;

• Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;

• Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;

• Are not above the age of thirty

I believe that the key issue with this policy is that it is focused on young people, who have lived in this country much of their lives despite being brought here illegally by their families. Some have grown up to become valedictorians of their class and many have gone on to college or served in our military.

I believe this new policy gives many young people a powerful reason to stay in school and complete their education.

As we continue to slowly emerge from the economic recession, our country and state will certainly benefit from the willingness of these young people to contribute to our economic prosperity and success.

You can read more on this by visiting the following website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/06/15/deferred-action-process-certain-young-people-smart-and-sensible-immigration-policy

As always, I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions. You can reach me at 651-296-5387 and rep.mindy.greiling@house.mn."