Do Obama’s Immigration Orders Really Open Path to Citizenship?

Obama’s programs for illegal immigrants, DACA and DAPA, may be, in a way, opening a path to citizenship. But the 5 million eligible shouldn’t celebrate yet.

Demonstrators hold up their banners during a immigration a rally on the National Mall in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, calling on the House Republican leadership to pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

President Barack Obama’s executive orders protecting some illegal immigrants from deportation do exactly what the president said they wouldn’t—open a path to citizenship, according to Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

But the 5 million people eligible for Obama’s programs shouldn’t celebrate just yet. The path we’re talking about is narrow and steep.

There are some 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States and about 45 percent of them came to the country legally, but overstayed their visa.

Those who overstayed their visa can still get on a path to citizenship if they marry an American, or have an adult child who’s a U.S. citizen, or are themselves children of a citizen and are under age 21.

There are some 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States and about 45 percent of them came to the country legally.