President Obama has called for a broad overhaul of immigration policy, which would end the deportation of young illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and who do not pose a security threat, senior administration officials said Friday morning,
The announcement was immediately greeted with a rally in downtown L.A., where more than 100 jubilant college students and graduates -- some of them undocumented -- chanted and cheered.
The Times will continue to cover the developments as they occur throughout the day.
[View the story "Los Angeles reacts to immunity for illegal immigrant youth" on Storify ]Los Angeles reacts to immunity for illegal immigrant youth President Obama announced Friday that illegal immigrant youth who pose no security threat will not be deported and will be allowed to apply for work permits. Follow live coverage of reactions to the decision at www.latimes.com/lanow. Storified by LA Times - LA NOW · Fri, Jun 15 2012 14:51:55
11:45 a.m.: Read the full text of the Obama administration's decision to stop deporting young illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and who do not pose a security threat.
Obama to stop deporting young illegal immigrantsThe Obama administration will stop deporting young illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and who do not pose a s...
If we really want to help the #DREAMers we would ensure that they have the right to an equal public education system.Jordan Howard
11:30 a.m.: UCLA student Leslye Osegueda is set to graduate this evening with a degree in political science. When she heard about President Obama's announcement this morning, she couldn't believe it. Though she's concerned about the anti-immigration backlash, she told Times reporter Esmeralda Bermudez that she and other immigrant youth are ready to face it.
Friday a big day for one illegal immigrant student at UCLALeslye Osegueda is having quite a day. The 21-year-old UCLA student is set to graduate Friday evening with a degree in political science....
"They are Americans in their hearts, minds & every single way but one: on paper." #OBAMA 4 #DREAMersLauren Perez-Rangel
Very Joyful for #DREAMers <3 & Family hope this is one step closer! & it will be made! :)MarleenSophiee
"We are a better nation than one that expels innocent young people." - President Obama on #DREAMersCarlos Aguirre
11:20 a.m.: Dream Team LA, the California Dream Network and the Orange County Dream Team organized a rally in downtown L.A. under the national umbrella of the United We Dream Network.
Young illegal immigrants rally in downtown L.A. to support Dream ActMore than 170 students and Dream Act supporters rallied in front of the Federal Office Building in downtown Los Angeles on Friday to voic...
#Obama you are the best, making a difference! #hopeYesica Lopez
Like always they say Obama is just doing it for the Votes.xXxBRYANTxXx
Obama: It is the right thing to do. #DreamersNancy Casanova
Note: I actually agree with a lot of the DREAM Act. But the idea that the President can unilaterally do this is just plain wrong.R. O'Brien-Bours
11:10 a.m.: President Obama is speaking about the Dream Act and undocumented youth in the White House Rose Garden.
The White HouseWhiteHouse.gov is the official web site for the White House and President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. This sit...
Thank you #Obama you made my life!!!:D #DreamActAlejandro Solis
Latinos & I should have one response to Obama's Executive order Dreamact; thank you! The GOP may spin but truth is in action. @tamronhallNathaniel Webb
When you actually explain the DREAM Act, as Obama is doing right now, the opposition to it looks ridiculously cruelDavid Dayen
11:00 a.m. : Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he's proud of President Obama for the immigration policy change.
"This is the right thing to do, I applaud the president for doing it and I think it's going to mean a great deal to the many families who live in terror that their kids may get deported through no fault of their own," Villaraigosa, one of the most prominent Latino surrogates for Obama's reelection campaign, said on a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon.
Villaraigosa praises Obama for immigration policy changeWASHINGTON -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa applauded President Obama for "doing what's right by our values" after the administr...
10:55 a.m.: Though the undocumented students and Dream Act advocates rallied in celebration over President Obama's decision, many are still calling for a long-term solution.
“This is policy,” Dulce Matuz, an organizer, cautioned. “We want this to be a law. We need a permanent solution.”
Some young illegal immigrants question Obama's motivesUnderneath the initial layer of jubilation, many Dream Act advocates and undocumented students greeted President Obama's announcement tha...
Let's hope that the dream act is truMario Avilez
Protest ends at Olivera Street.Melissa Leu
I like that Obama decided to give illegal immigrants a work visa instead of deporting them. The only problem is there aren't any jobs. #fbRussell Der
10:45 a.m.: Maria Gomez recently graduated from UCLA with a master's degree in architecture, but has had trouble finding work because she is not in the U.S. legally. She had barely heard the news Friday morning when congratulatory texts from her friends began filling her inbox.
Dream Act advocate: 'This means I can be normal'It was early Friday morning, and UCLA graduate Maria Gomez had only heard some of the news -- something about President Obama granting im...
Obama reassuring young illegal immigrants that they do not have to live in fear of deportation and can attain a work permit #abouttimeOzzy Salas
Everyone is safe and sound at placita olvera http://pic.twitter.com/Q7AEFQwfEl Random Hero
As an American, the extension of equality is patriotic. #dream #undocumented #youthReynaldo Macias
10:40 a.m.: Some criticized President Obama's announcement in light of the high unemployment rate in the U.S.
Physically sick to my stomach today. 80Million Unemployed/Under Employed Americans & @barackobama is concerned about illegal immigrants. WOWGOP Fashionista
My issue with granting amnesty to ILLEGAL immigrants who haven't committed a crime is that coming into the US illegally IS a federal crime.Billy Webb
The first word in "illegal immigrant" is ILLEGAL.zaco
10:15 a.m.: Protesters are heading to Alameda Street as LAPD officers arrive, Melissa Leu reports.
Protestors leaving at the presence of police officers. Headed to Alameda Street sidewalk http://pic.twitter.com/PjUMPBw2Melissa Leu
10:10 a.m.: Rally students are no longer blocking the 101 Freeway and have moved to the corner of Aliso and Los Angeles streets in downtown L.A., Times reporter Melissa Leu says.
Students have bunched up on the east corner of Aliso and Los Angeles Streets. Stopped blocking 101S Freeway.Melissa Leu
"Education not deportation!" Dream Act supporters are chanting. http://pic.twitter.com/TtIiOYU4Melissa Leu
Wow, what a bold move by President Obama.Jiho Rhee (지호)
DREAM Act supporters chanting "Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like." http://pic.twitter.com/9eEzuuMvMelissa Leu
Undocumented students chanting for their rights in front of the Federal Office Building in DTLA. #dreamact http://pic.twitter.com/T4hLo32iMelissa Leu
10:00 a.m.: Republican Sen. Marco Rubio released a carefully worded statement Friday that called for helping young illegal immigrants but criticized the president’s approach.
Marco Rubio calls Obama immigration order a 'short-term answer'WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. Marco Rubio-- whose reaction to the Obama administration's immigration order will likely be one of the most...
9:45 a.m.: Students and Dream Act advocates rallying in support of Obama's announcement marched into the streets and sat in a long train blocking Aliso Street, from Los Angeles Street to Alameda Street. They were also blocking entrance ramps to the 101 Freeway.
Young illegal immigrants block freeway ramps, cheer ObamaMore than 100 jubilant college students and graduates -- some of them undocumented -- rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Friday in suppor...
Undocumented youth achieve a huge victory today and take the streets if dwntwn LA to continue action. @DreamTeam_LA http://pic.twitter.com/pbQn1WDGCSII
Since Republicans won't act to pass the Dream Act - thank God for Barack Obama who has the guts to take action. 4 more years 4 Obama - YES!Paul Allison
9:35 a.m.: Julio Salgado, who has been advocating for the Dream Act for nearly a decade, is excited but skeptical about President Obama's announcement. He'll celebrate when the policy is actually implemented, he told Times reporter Paloma Esquivel.
Obama's illegal immigration plan meets with some skepticismJulio Salgado has been advocating for the Dream Act, which would create a path to citizenship for undocumented students and members of th...
I am extremely thrilled with the pass of the Dream Act, America is becoming more humane:)Elizabeth Lozada
Giving illegal immigrants work permits is good for the immigrant community, but millions of legal Americans are unemployed. Tough topic.Priscilla Martinez
Finally happened #Dreamers! @whitehouse took first step for a more fair immigration system! @NILC_org @CHIRLA #CIR http://lat.ms/LZFPJvJudy Chu
I'm happy for the news on immigration, but I wish Obama would of done it earlier & not during election season #personalopinionErick Mendoza
Undocumented students cheering @barackobama new immigration policy from downtown LA @nbcla @NBCLatino http://pic.twitter.com/32zQj3g6John Cádiz Klemack
I have far more in common with undocumented immigrants trying to survive in the U.S. than with the millionaire politicians who demonize themMichael Prysner
Huge news in American immigration history today. Props, Barack.ninoybrown
Thank you to ALL the DREAM Act activists for your resiliency & willingness to do whatever it took to make today's Executive Order happen.Mike de la Rocha
How can anyone oppose DREAM Act, which lets law-abiding young people brought here as kids study and work? Meanness not a basis for policy.Lisa Bloom
9:20 a.m.: Out at the rally, Times reporter Melissa Leu spoke to students and Dream Act advocates who say the president's announcement is "surreal" and a "step in the right direction."
Dream Act advocate says Obama taking the "right step forward"losangelestimes
Undocumented student says Obama's immigration announcement is "surreal moment"losangelestimes
At ICE building thanking Prez Obama for giving Dreamers a chance to shine in their America. CHIRLA presente.CHIRLA
8:40 a.m.: Dream Act advocates rallied in downtown L.A. to celebrate Obama's anticipated announcement.
Young illegal immigrants in L.A. cheer Obama: 'I can breathe'Justino Mora and dozens of Dream Act advocates heard about the Obama administration's decision to grant relief to young illegal immigrant...
Young Dream Act advocates gather for a rally in downtown L.A.losangelestimes
8:15 a.m.: Republicans are firmly opposed to President Obama's decision to stop the deportation of illegal immigrant youth.
Republicans rip Obama's move to help young illegal immigrantsWASHINGTON -- The first GOP reaction to the Obamaadministration's decision to stop deportations of some young illegal immigrants is comin...
8:00 a.m.: President Barack Obama announced that illegal immigrant youth who arrived in the U.S. before they were 16 and who pose no security threat will not be deported and can apply for a work permit. Obama has called for a broad overhaul of immigration policy and embraces the concept of Dream Act legislation, which would create a legal way for immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to stay in the country.
Obama to order immunity for young illegal immigrantsPresident Obama has ordered his administration to stop deporting young immigrants who came to the U.S. as young children and who do not p...
