Steps Obama May Take to Allow Immigrants to Stay

With an overhaul of U.S. immigration enforcement expected to be announced by the White House as early as next week, advocates and lawmakers are speculating about what might be in the plan.

Advocates who have been briefed by administration officials, as well as media reports, estimate President Barack Obama's executive action could relieve up to 5 million people from the threat of deportation through various moves.

The following is a look at some of the steps Obama is considering to protect certain groups of undocumented immigrants:

FAMILY UNIFICATION

After granting relief in 2012 for children brought to the country illegally, known as "Dreamers," Obama is expected to expand that action to include the parents of those children for the purpose of keeping families together.

Alternatively, he could grant relief only to parents of legal permanent residents or U.S. citizens, which would cover a smaller number.

LENGTH OF TIME IN THE COUNTRY

Recently arrived migrants are already higher priorities for deportation than those who have been in the country longer. But Obama could create a policy to specifically shield migrants who have lived in the United States for a certain period of time, most likely 10 years.

DETAINER REFORM

Immigrant advocates have shared their frustration with Obama over a policy that requires local law enforcement officials to turn undocumented immigrants over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for minor violations. They have asked that immigrants arrested for not having identification in traffic stops, for example, be let go.

Obama may also change a program known as Secure Communities, which currently allows the FBI and immigration agents to share information on immigrants. Advocates say the program is responsible for a record rate of deportations under Obama's presidency.

REDIRECTING AGENTS

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported that Obama will redirect immigration agents to the southern U.S. border to strengthen security. The shift would pull agents away from the interior of the country, which Obama sees as a lower priority for enforcement resources.

WORK VISAS

The White House has long engaged the business community in the conversation over immigration reform, sparking their interest through the prospect of granting additional visas for foreign workers.

Because there is a limited number of visas that can be issued internationally, the White House is considering taking back unused visas from previous years and making them available to workers of certain sectors, like tech.