On November 20, 2014, President Obama laid out a sweeping plan to overhaul the nation's immigration system. This plan will drastically alter the lives of many undocumented immigrants living in the country.

Although, most people have only heard discussion in the news about the part of the plan that defers deportation for some undocumented immigrants, there are actually three major parts of the plan.

First, the plan will add additional resources for our law enforcement personnel in attempt to refocus its enforcement resources toward the southwest border with Mexico.  Obama's plan will send more Border Patrol agents, immigration judges and U.S. attorneys to the border to speed up deportations of people caught crossing.  The new plan will also change the way the government handles undocumented immigrants living far from the border in the interior part of the country by deporting aliens that commits felons.

Second, the plan will make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to United States’ economy. The new plan makes several changes to allow foreign workers trained in high-tech fields to enter, and stay in, the country. The new plan will allow for so-called "portability", which makes it easier for immigrants to switch jobs when they are in the United States.

Third, the plan will take steps to deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already had live in our country.  It would create a new program of deferrals for millions undocumented parents of American citizens or legal permanent residents who have been in the country for at least five years. The criteria for the deferral are the following: A) If you’ve with been in America more than five years, B) If you have children who are American citizens or illegal residents, and C) If you register, pass a criminal background check and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes, then you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. Deferrals would include authorization to work which would be granted for three years at a time. The immigrant will also be able to travel freely back and forth to their home country.

President Obama further expressed what the plan is not. President Obama stated “This deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently. It does not apply to anyone who might come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive. Only Congress can do that. All we’re saying is we’re not going to deport you.” 

You can see the entire speech here.

You can read the full transcript of the speech here.