Valley group applauds president's action on immigration

FRESNO, Calif (KFSN) -- President Obama came west to Las Vegas to seek support for his immigration executive order which would protect some five million people from deportation. The plan though has been panned by Republicans.

Not surprisingly our exclusive Action News poll conducted by SurveyUSA revealed deep divisions on immigration. But the president's announcement brought relief to a group of Valley supporters.

Sign-carrying supporters of the president's executive action gathered in front of the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Fresno. For mixed status families the issue is very personal.

The parents of US citizen Stephanie Kamey came from Mexico and Guatemala.

Kamey said, "I struggle still with the fact whether my mom is going to be deported or not. For years waking up every day thinking is this the day my mom going to be deported? Is today the day she's going to be ripped from me?"

Our poll conducted also showed 32% of Valley residents agreed with the president's changes. 33% did not while another 33% agreed with only some of the changes.

House Speaker John Boehner's Republican response was swift.

Boehner said, "The president himself has taken actions that he himself has said are of a king or emperor - not an American president."

47% of those surveyed felt the president did not have the authority to announce such changes. 44% said he did.

Fresno Congressman Jim Costa said, "The Congress still needs to act. Instead of complaining or being outraged let's do our responsibility. Let's produce a bill."

Supporters seek comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.

Our poll showed 59% of those surveyed said undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay in the U.S. if certain conditions are met 37% said they should not be allowed to stay.

Magdalena Gomez of Parlier said, "When families stay together and come out of the shadows our nation is stronger."

Gomez said the job won't be done until Congress tackles a problem it was avoided for decades.

The group added it is very important for families to seek out an attorney or an accredited representative to help them get through the application process.