Most illegal immigrants are shielded from deportation

Although the Supreme Court struck down President Obama’s amnesty program that he was imposing by executive order, his other executive orders on immigration are still in effect, protecting some 80% of illegal immigrants from deportation.  Basically, agents have been told not to bother sending back undocumented immigrants unless they commit crimes or are a threat to public safety. (So what does that tell us about the other 20%?  And isn’t being here illegally a crime?)

From Stephen Dinan, Obama actions shield most illegal immigrants from deportation even as court stalls amnesty – Washington Times:

President Obama’s marquee deportation amnesty has been stalled by the courts, but the rest of his executive actions on immigration, announced exactly a year ago, are moving forward — including his move protecting more than 80 percent of illegal immigrants from any danger of deportation.

The amnesty, dubbed Deferred Action for Parental Accountability was supposed to grant full tentative legal status — including work permits, Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses — to more than 4 million illegal immigrants. It has been halted by a federal appeals court, and its fate will soon rest with the Supreme Court.

But the rest of the dozen actions Mr. Obama announced on Nov. 20, 2014, are still advancing, including a far-reaching set of priorities that effectively orders agents not to bother deporting nearly all illegal immigrants.

“There are 7 or 8 or 9 million people who are now safe under the current policy. That is a victory to celebrate while we wait for the Supreme Court,” said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who was among the chief cheerleaders pushing Mr. Obama to go around Congress and take unilateral steps last year.

[Keep reading. . .]