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"President Barack Obama voiced his support Friday for immigration reform through an executive order, announcing that the U.S. will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to young illegal immigrants.\"After decades of inaction and indifference, you have every reason and right to push loudly and forcefully for equality,\" Obama said.Officials said the change applies to those who came to the country before the age of 16, are younger than 30, have been in the coutnry for five years and have no criminal record.The words from the Rose Garden led to cries of support from Washington to New Mexico.\"It's just that, I've been waiting for this moment my whole life,\" said supporter Mayte Garcia.Garcia said she crossed the border into the U.S. with her mom when she was 6. She said she's relieved that for the first time, as a graduate of University of New Mexico, she can get a job without a Social Security number.\"It was stopping me. It was stopping what I could achieve in life. It was stopping and limiting my full potential. It was heartbreaking,\" Garcia said.In Washington, reaction has been mixed, with the most intense opposition coming from Republicans.In a written statement, New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce said, \"I am appalled that Mr. Obama once again believes he is above our Constitution. While I agree that action needs to be taken to address illegal immigration, our form of government does not allow any president to legislate from the White House.\"Gov. Susanna Martinez also disagrees with the president's approach, saying, \"This is just a short-term fix in an election year. The land of opportunity that attracted my Mexican grandparents has become the land of unemployment, staggering debt, and fear for our children's future.\"Garcia said to her, it's about respect.\"I'm not a criminal. I'm not an alien. I'm not someone strange. I'm a human being. I'm a student. I have full potential just like any other human or citizen in this country,\" Garcia said.Officials said it's estimated 800,000 people 16 to 30 years old will be affected by the decision."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.koat.com/article/new-mexicans-react-to-immigration-policy-change/5041343>