Oklahomans Respond To Change In White House's Immigration Policy

The White House announced a big change in its immigration policy. The federal government will stop deporting illegal immigrants under age 30 who came to the U.S. as children.

As part of the plan, illegal immigrants will be immune to deportation if they have been in the country for at least five years, have no serious criminal history, and are in school or graduated from high school or served in the military.

Some of Oklahoma's own are split about the decision.

Victor Orta has been an advocate for Tulsa's Hispanic community for decades, and celebrates the president's announcement.

"They're entrepreneurs of the future. They're going to create jobs and businesses and benefit us in the long run in so many ways," Orta said.

Meanwhile Carol Helm with IRON, an Oklahoma organization crusading for stricter immigration laws, says the move could have a crippling impact on the economy.

"In an environment like this, when we have more workers in America than we have jobs, why would our President think to allow another 800,000 to enter that legal workforce?" Helm said.