Obama's Immigration Actions Painful For Milford Family
MILFORD (CBS/AP) -- It wasn't easy for Maureen and Mike Maloney to watch the president Thursday evening.
"We didn't choose to separate from our families. Separation was forced on us by no choice of ours," said Maureen Maloney.
Their son, Matthew Denice, just 23, was killed by an illegal immigrant. Denice was dragged on his motorcycle under a truck for a quarter mile in Milford more than three years ago. Time has not healed all wounds.
As many as 5 million people in the country illegally are likely to be protected from deportation and made eligible for work permits under the plan. They would not have a path to citizenship, however, and the actions could be reversed by a new president in two years. Officials said the eligible immigrants would not be entitled to federal benefits — including health care tax credits — under Obama's plan.
"My reaction is stupidity. I can't believe how arrogant and egotistical he is," said Maureen.
Now behind bars, Nicolas Guaman, a native of Ecuador, may have qualified under Obama's plan. He had been here for many years, had children here, and while he did have a long criminal background, his offenses would have been considered minor.
"The man who killed my son was on Mass Health," said Maureen.
Matthew's mother says her opposition isn't about vengeance; it's about what's fair, legal, and just.
"Good things are worth waiting for. This is a great country and for me, it would be worth waiting 5 years or 10 years and being here legally," said Maureen.
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