President Obama has unveiled his plan to shield millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation in the face of congressional inaction. Some four million people could be eligible for the new policy, which allows the undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to stay in the country with work permits, if they have lived in the United States for at least five years and pass a background check.

President Obama: “So we’re going to offer the following deal. If you’ve been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes, you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation.”