Obama Order Lets South Philly Immigrant Stay in America
When Congress failed in 2010 to pass The Dream Act—giving children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship—President Obama took action on his own, saying he’d refuse to deport such young folks and instead find ways to help them lawfully obtain work in the United States. Karla Rojas, who attends the Community College of Philadelphia, is the first Philadelphia resident to formally receive Obama’s reprieve: The 18-year-old came to the United States when she was 7; now she’ll get a Social Security number, work permit, and a driver’s license. Rojas said she still wants to become a citizen. “I was so excited and happy,” she said of the news. “It wasn’t our fault that we came here. Our parents wanted a better life for us.” [CBS Philly]