MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A historic day, or doomsday? There are fiercely different reactions in the Mid-South to President Barack Obama's immigration decision.
"It is a historic day on paper, and if it follows through it will change my life so tremendously," said Patricio Gonzalez, an undocumented resident.
Currently, Gonzalez can't get a driver's license, can't apply for federal student loans to go to college, and can't apply for certain jobs.
"I have grown up here, this is all I know, but I can't leave the country, I can't go see my mother who is in Argentina," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, and dozens who gathered at Latino Memphis Headquarters in Hickory Hill, greeted the President's decision with optimism.
"It is kind of like the start, of when the slaves were free, right? For me, because right now I feel like a slave here," Gonzalez said.
Across town, a far different reaction.
"This was clearly a patent political move to gain the votes in the Hispanic community," said Mark Skoda, host of "The Mark Skoda Show."
Skoda said Friday he had been hearing it from callers during his afternoon radio show.
"Absolutely angry, I'm telling you people cannot believe it. It is breathtaking," he said.
"Lets be very clear, for African Americans this puts them down more rungs on the ladder," Skoda said. "It is unequivocal, the Hispanics that have come in have replaced black workers. End of story. It is going to happen even more so now."
"This takes jobs away from Americans," he added.
It is estimated around 800,000 people will now be able to apply for work permits.
