President Obama's Statement on Immigration Policy Changes

“Good afternoon everybody. This morning Secretary Napolitano announced new actions my administration will take to mend a nation’s immigration policy to make it more fair, more efficient, and more just." President Barack Obama started today's announcement with these words, leading on to say, "Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people. Over the next few months, eligible individuals who do not present a risk to national security or public safety will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings and apply for work authorization." 

President Obama made it clear that though this will be giving illegal immigrants the opportunity to apply for work visas, eliminating the fear of deportation, this was not a road paved towards gaining citizenship. He also said this temporary relief is "not a permanent fix" and "[p]recisely because this is temporary, Congress needs to act." 

I, personally, am extremely happy to hear that steps are being taken to better the lives of Latinos living in fear of deportation in the United States. I have friends who have lived in the United States their entire lives, "brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants and often have no idea that they are undocumented until they apply for a job or a drivers license or a college scholarship" (President Obama). It's unfair that even though many have graduated from high school and even college, upon graduation they're stuck working at pizzerias and as assistants in jobs that will not get them where they want to be. They deserve as much of an opportunity as I do. 

Obama's powerful words, "They are Americans in their heart, their minds, in every single way but one--on paper" need to be listened to. 

What is your opinion on this matter?