Following President Barack Obama's Thursday evening speech on immigration reform, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber released a statement in support of the executive action.
Gov. Kitzhaber: "President Obama took appropriate action tonight, showing leadership in moving this country's immigration laws in the right direction. As Oregonians, we believe in a fair shot for everyone. The President's message reflects those values of fairness and honors basic human rights. This isn't the first time that a president has taken action on a national level - both Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush took similar steps. While I welcome the President's executive action on immigration, this action is - unfortunately - only a stop gap. It remains to be seen whether Congress will step up, do what's right, and pass meaningful immigration reform, or whether it will continue to play politics with the lives of millions who have been living, working, and contributing to our communities for years."
President Obama's plan would grant deportation relief to immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years, have U.S. citizen children and meet other requirements.
About 64,000 people in Oregon could be shielded from deportation under Obama's action, according to the Migration Policy Institute.