President Obama’s executive orders on immigration, many are hoping, will help pave a path to U.S. citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals. According to information posted on Whitehouse.gov, the president talked about laying out the steps for these individuals, which includes passing background checks, paying taxes and learning English. The president also made it clear that those who are here illegally must go to “the back of the line,” behind everyone who is trying to come here legally. The goal, he said, is to make this a humane yet fair process for all concerned.

Here are some of the highlights of President Obama’s proposal:

• Undocumented immigrants must register, submit biometric data and pass national security and criminal background checks before they become eligible for provisional legal status.
  
• Those applying for green cards must also pay taxes, pass additional criminal background and national security checks and learn U.S. civics and English. Under current law, individuals are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship five years after receiving a green card.
• Children brought into the U.S. illegally by a parent will be able to earn citizenship. By attending college or serving in the Armed Forces for at least two years, these individuals will be given an expedited chance to earn their citizenship.
• If you are someone whose provisional lawful status has been denied or revoked, you will have an opportunity to seek administrative and judicial review of those decisions.

If you are in the country illegally and are in danger of getting deported, please contact an experienced Los Angeles deportation defense attorney for a consultation. You may be eligible to remain in the United States under the executive orders signed by President Obama.