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President Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform

President Obama says it’s something he has to do. Using executive order, he says he will protect millions of undocumented immigrants from being deported. ...

President Obama says it's something he has to do.

Using executive order, he says he will protect millions of undocumented immigrants from being deported.

If they have been in America for more than five years and have children who are U. S. or legal residents, he says they can register for protection.

It's a move some are applauding.

"I just think its brilliant and i think president obama is truthfully trying to fix the immigration system but i think at this point there is so much battling between the democrats and republicans and each side is being an obstructionist and so he's saying until you guys figure it out, i'm putting a band-aid on so these families aren't being affected," said Tracey Hubbard of Scranton.

Tracey Hubbard has been an immigration attorney in Scranton for eight years.

She says her job is to keep her clients from being deported.

Right now, she represents people from six continents, though most of her clients are Hispanic and she says their stories are heart-breaking.

"When I first became an immigration attorney eight years ago, I cried every single day for six months until I sort of got a stomach for this work because it is extremely emotionally draining. "

Not everyone likes the president's plan.

In 2006, Hazleton was put in the national spotlight when then-mayor Lou Barletta proposed the illegal immigration relief act.

Banning landlords from renting to illegal immigrants and fining business owners who hired them.

Barletta is now a U. S.  Congressman.

He says the president is acting without congressional authority.

"We have immigration laws for two basic reasons: to preserve national security and to protect American jobs. The actions the president is contemplating violate both of those principles," said Barletta in a statement.

Some say the president is misusing his authority, others say no way.

People we spoke with say whatever the case, something has to be done about immigration.

"I'd say that yeah, he probably has to do something," said Pat McCarty of Hershey.

"It strikes me as kind of about time I mean the last time we had an overhaul of immigration was what? 86? 89? We're pushing 30 years here and the situation on the ground has changed so I think it's kind of time Washington keeps up," said Drew Hurschick of Scranton.

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