Obama's Executive Order on Immigration Reform to Have Big Local Impact

President Obama could take executive action this week on immigration reform if congress does not act. The President could make it possible for illegal immigrants to apply for temporary work permits and be exempt from deportation. Most of the valley depends on the field work from immigrants, and Obama’s order could have a big local impact.

Manuel Cunha thrives off his citrus business. He grows oranges and mandarins on his farm in Fresno County.

“I depend on farm workers that come from a farm labor contractor that takes care of the workers,” said Cunha.

Cunha said many of his employees and their families are affected by immigration.

He said, “We have people that are being deported. We have families being destroyed that have been here 15, 20, 25 years. I said, it’s not right.”

Cunha said he hopes a bill gets enacted soon that could allow nearly five million foreigners legal documents to receive work permits.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed. Like I said, that if congress doesn’t act, then he is going to act,” said Cunha.

He, is President Obama. People close to the president said he is close to issuing an order that would protect certain illegal immigrants from deportation. Those affected include parents of children who are American citizens, and those with high tech skills.

Cunha said, “These folks that are here, they work in industries, they work in agriculture, they work in construction, they work in the light duty manufacturing, they do the hotels, they do the food restaurants. They are not taking away U.S. jobs at all.”

The President’s potential executive order is under fire from Republicans in Washington. House Speaker John Boehner said Obama will “poison the well” if he skips Congress and takes executive action. House Republicans have said they are willing to do anything to stop Obama from making his executive order, even holding the budget hostage for a government shutdown.