A new federal policy on deportations

last updated 8 January 2015

The Obama administration this week suspended deportation proceedings against illegal immigrants who pose no threat to national security or public safety. Homeland Security officials said that the new policy will help speed up deportations of criminals and flagrant violators of immigration law. Tens of thousands of immigrants are likely to be affected by the move, which has been criticized by Republicans as political payback for the president’s Latino supporters. Rep. Peter T. King of New York, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the House, said the president’s action was “a blatant attempt to grant amnesty to potentially millions of illegal aliens.’’