WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Undocumented immigrants, their families and supporters rejoiced Thursday as President Barack Obama announced deferred deportation for 5 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, allowing them to seek work permits and travel to other countries.
"Si se pudo!" shouted supporters from in front of the White House, which translates to "Yes, we could!"
"It hasn't really sunk in," Jose Antonio Vargas, an outspoken immigrant rights advocate and undocumented immigrant himself, told CNN.
"I have been here since I was 12 -- 21 years. For somebody to just say, OK, now it is OK. You can get a work permit. You can get a driver's license. You can travel outside the country ... It's a great night."
"The president is giving me a shot," echoed 32-year-old Miguel Correa to NBC News. The Stafford, Va., resident has lived in the United States without documentation for 14 years and is excited to formally get his plumbing license and expand his business.
"This is going to help me by being able to get my plumbing license and register my business in a better way with the county, [and] with the state."
But not everyone is happy with the executive order.
"People are crying," Felipe Diosdado lamented from Chicago. "I can't celebrate this, because there are a lot of people left out."
While 5 million immigrants will gain legal protection and lose the threat of deportation, for 6 million more, the challenges of a broken immigration system remain.
