Obama Delays Pending Deportations

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The Obama administration announced today that it will delay further action of about 300,000 undocumented immigrants facing deportation pending a review of criminal records and further assessment of each individual case.

Obama, who has been criticized by immigration rights advocates for the number of deportations that occurred last year, has said before that his administration’s focus is to send back convicted criminals.

Although undocumented immigrants with no criminal record will not be given legal permanent residency, the administration will give them an opportunity to those who do not meet deportation criteria to apply for work permits.

Recently, immigrant groups have organized a series of demonstrations across the nation protesting the current deportation program Secure Communities.