President Barack Obama is reassuring millions of people that they don’t need to fear immediate deportation.
The Supreme Court’s tie vote effectively kills Obama’s plan to shield millions more immigrants in the U.S. illegally from deportation and granted them work permits.
But Obama says the opinion doesn’t change his administration’s enforcement priorities.
Obama says his administration will continue focusing its limited enforcement resources on people who have committed a crime and that deportation for long-term immigrants who aren’t criminals will remain a low priority.
Still, Obama says the deadlock is frustrating for immigrants who want to work and contribute to the economy. He says it’s “heartbreaking” for them.