Obama’s speech at the Copernicus Center listened to approx. 1800 people. In the audience were mostly Poles and Americans of Polish descent. Copernicus Foundation Theatre (Copernicus Center) is located in the north-west side of Chicago, inhabited by immigrants not only Polish, but the whole of Eastern Europe.
“It was me warm at heart, especially when President Barack Obama welcomed all the good words + day +” – told PAP Polish ambassador in Washington, Ryszard Schnepf, who flew to Chicago.
The Ambassador said that he had the opportunity to exchange with President Obama during a few words of welcome. In a brief conversation Schnepf was reminded of the inclusion is still an unresolved Polish visa-free travel.
“President Barack Obama said, jokingly, that + all interests at the moment we do not deal +, but it is with us. He said that Warsaw is still in his heart after the last visit, and that Poland will always have the support of side of America “- reported the conversation with the President, Ambassador Schnepf.
The Presidential Decree immigration rated as a step in the right direction, which can give protection against deportation, according to various estimates, between 40-50 thousand. Poles residing in the United States. He admitted that the decree announced by Obama does not resolve the problem all immigrants. “I hope that Congress will follow this initiative of President Obama,” – said the ambassador Schnepf.
Before the speech at the Copernicus Center held a meeting closed to the media, the American President with representatives of civil society organizations representing different ethnic groups – including the Poles. Among the invited guests was six to Grazyna Zajączkowska, Chief. Association of immigrants in the American-Polish (Polish American Association), a donor social Poles in the United States.
“I thanked the president for what he did, because it is very brave of him, we know what the opposition in Congress. We hope that this will provoke Congress to serious work on a major immigration reform. For the time being, Presidential decree through immigration, will save many people from deportation “- told PAP Zajączkowska.
As reported the participants of the meeting with Obama submit their suggestions regarding the decree. Zajączkowska President Obama said that the changes introduced by the regulations do not solve the problem of Poles, undocumented immigrants who do not have children. According to the decree, the deportation avoid those who are parents of children with US citizenship (because born in the US), or are regulated status and were not punished.
“The President said that you have to continue to put pressure on Congress to reform passed,” – said director. Immigrants in the Association of American-Polish. Zajączkowska was extremely touched by a direct meeting with President Obama. “It is a great honor for Poles that the president held a meeting on immigration was in the Polish place in Chicago” – she said.
President of the Polish American Congress, Frank Spula PAP emphasized that the decree issued by the Obama immigration “is necessary and important for immigrants”. When asked about whether the rule changes will benefit many Poles, Spula said that is certainly not as many of Hispanics. President of the KPA stressed that it is necessary to further extend the provisions which would include also childless immigrants.
One of the Polish women who will benefit from immigration is a presidential decree of 40-year-old Agnes May, who lives in the United States since 1999. He says come on a tourist visa “for a little extra money.” I will never come back to Polish. She founded the family in the United States. Together with her husband, raising two children, 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.
“I’m going to qualify, because I have children who were born in the US and have lived here for over 10 years. It is a chance for us to come out of the shadows. My life is here in America. A return to Polish I have not, but I would like to be able to visit my parents, but in the current situation, I am not able to do it “- Polka said in an interview with PAP.
Agnieszka May believes that Chicago is a lot of Poles who are in the same situation as her family. “I personally know a lot of people who came here on a tourist visa and were to live and work here, and then the children were born to them,” – she said.
From Chicago Joanna Purse
Polonia welcomes President Obama's speech … – Gazeta.pl
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