Locals React to POTUS Decision on Illegal Immigrants

President Barack Obama announced Friday that the federal government would not deport the grown children of illegal immigrants under certain circumstances.

And, for the most part, Fort Greene residents, students and workers agreed with the decision to provide a path to legal status for up to 800,000 people—many of whom have lived in this country for most of their lives.

"If they have no criminal record they shouldn't be deported," said Jamal Ledesma, 35, a Harlem resident working in Fort Greene.

Obama's executive order, which takes effect immediately, ends deportation for illegal immigrants under 30 with no criminal record who have a high school diploma or served in the military.

Those who qualify will be able to apply for two-year work permits that can be renewed indefinitely.

For one Brooklyn Tech student, the decision didn't go far enough.

"What about the kids who haven't graduated high school? What happens to them?" asked Sofia, 16.

Others, while supporting the decision covering younger illegal immigrants, said there should be limits on deciding who should be allowed to live and work in this country.

"There are different circumstances for everyone ... There shouldn't be amnesty for illegals straight across the board," Ledesma said.

For Brooklyn Tech student, Andrea, 16, the issue was one of jobs in an economy still not producing a whole lot of them.

"The bad side of this is that a lot of these immigrants are taking jobs away from other people," Andrea said.

Even with these reservations, Andrea said she sympathized with the plight of people not much older than herself who found themselves in a situation beyond their control.

"It's really not fair to expect them to go back to a country they don't even know," she said.