Immigration is a problem in America. Every citizen knows that, with a seemingly constant flow of legal and illegal immigrants into the country. President Obama has long been called on to outline a plan to stop the problem. Republicans have met his plan with their own plans, showing once again the differences between the two parties.

On Thursday, November 20, 2014, President Obama informed the country about his new plan for immigration. The President will be putting this order into action by using executive action, which means that he will go around congress to put his plan on the roll. His announcement brings the largest overhaul of immigration in decades. Many conservatives were angry at his announcement, as the President used yet another executive action, which some are saying is over stepping his Presidential power. “Today our immigration system is broken and everybody knows it,” Obama said. “It’s been this way for decades and for decades we haven’t done much about it.” Obama addressed the nation as he pointed out his new immigration plan.

Obama’s new plan is to only target the “dangerous” undocumented citizens, not the law abiding ones. “We will target felons not families” said Obama. Those who meet the qualifications will be granted a three-year stay in the country, granted that they pass background tests and pay back taxes. A key part is that the immigrants will not be awarded citizenship, be eligible for federal aid, or health care programs.

Obama highlighted that the US will also add additional security to the southern border, something that has been long called on by both sides of Congress. “If you plan to enter the US illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up,” said Obama.

Many Americans want all of the illegal immigrants in the country to be sent back to their country, but Obama talked about the tough situation. “Mass amnesty would be unfair, but mass deportation would be impossible and contrary to our character.”

Obama also talked directly to Congress in the address, telling them that if they are unhappy with his recent moves, he has one answer: “Pass a bill.” It is just another example of gridlock in Washington DC, and the Republicans who recently took control of both the house and Senate replied that they will fight Obama’s actions.

The new program will cover anyone who arrived in America before 2010. The only question that rises out of this is, if they are undocumented immigrants without papers, how will officials know when they arrived? Will they simply take their word for it? Americans should definitely hope not, as even though Obama’s plan does not give immigrants a path to citizenship, it still gives papers to people that came into the country illegally.

Obama received both praise and criticism for his action, the loudest being from Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose state is on the front lines in the battle against illegal immigration. “It is time for the President and Congress to secure our border, followed then by meaningful reforms, there is no time for political grandstanding.” The immigration debate is far from over, and Americans will simply have to wait and see how the Presidents plan works out, and every citizen should be concerned with the ongoing problem of immigration.