Obama allows 'Dreamers' to stay in country

President Barack Obama announces a new Department of Homeland Security policy that exempts undocumented people who were brought to the United States as young children and that meet other criteria to be considered for relief from removal from the country or from removal proceedings.

The president tried to have the Dream Act, which would have codified the same policy, but Republicans blocked the legislation in both the House and Senate.

Many of the "Dreamers" were not even aware that they were undocumented. until they were required to show proof of citizenship.  The new policy allows eligible people to "earn" their citizenship by meeting the specific qualifications that include not posing a threat to national security.

Many of these people are not guilty of any action themselves, but were merely brought into the country by their parents without documentation.  The new policy is effective immediately.

The president will continue to seek legislation that will place the same policy into law.

A conservative journalist heckles the president in the middle of the speech that is shown in the video above.