Associated Press (06/15/12) Alicia Caldwell; Jim Kuhnhenn

President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws Friday, offering a chance for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and work. The policy change will affect as many as 800,000 immigrants.

Under the administration plan, illegal immigrants will be immune from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 and are younger than 30; have been in the country for at least five continuous years; have no criminal history; and graduated from a U.S. high school or passed the General Educational Development tests or served in the military. They also can apply for a work permit that will be good for two years with no limits on how many times it can be renewed. The policy is effective immediately.