President obama will be announcing any minute now that he will use his executive powers to make changes to immigration laws. Many in the bay area are anxiously awaiting the president s speech. Youre looking at a Live Watch Party right now in san jose. It is happening at the our lady of Guadalupe Church. We are moments away from the historic announcement. This is a live look at the east room of the white house where the president will take the podium for his nationwide address. We received some excerpts of the president s speech. His executive order will help nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants avoid deportation. Now, theres specifically the parents of children who are either u. S. Citizens or permanent residents. If the parents have been in the country at least five years, they could apply for protection against deportation. Well send you to the east room of the white house for the president. Tonight id like to talk with you about immigration. For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. Its kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities. People not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose. But today our immigration system is broken. And Everybody Knows it. Families who enter our country the right way and play by the rules watch others flout the rules. Business owners who offer their workers good wages and benefits see the competition exploit undocumented immigrants by paying them far less. All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in america without taking on the responsibilities of living in america. And undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows or risk their families being torn apart. Its been this way for decades. And for decades we havent done much about it. When i took office, i committed to fixing this broken immigration system. And i began by doing what i could to secure or borders. Today we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years, illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half. Although this summer there was a brief spike in unaccompanied children being apprehended at our border, the number of such children is now actually lower than its been in nearly two years. Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s. Those are the facts. Meanwhile, i worked with congress on a comprehensive fix. And last year, 68 democrats, republicans, and independents came together to pass a bipartisan bill in the senate. It wasnt perfect. It was a compromise. But it reflected common sense. It would have doubled the number of Border Patrol agents while giving undocumented immigrants a padway to citizenship if they paid a fine, started paying their taxes, and went to the back of the line. An independent expert said it would help grow our economy and shrink our deficits. Had the house of representatives allowed that kind of bill, a simple yes or no vote, it would have passed with support from body parties. And today it would be the law. But for a year and a half now, Republican Leaders in the house have refused to allow that simple vote. Now, i continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of commonsense law. But until that happens, there are actions i have the Legal Authority to take, as president. The same kinds of actions taken by democratic and republican president s before me. That will help make our immigration system more fair and more just. Tonight, im announcing those actions. First, well build on our progress at the border with Additional Resources for our Law Enforcement personnel so that they can stem the flow of illegal crossings and speed the return of those who do cross over. Second, ill make it easier and faster for highskilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy. As so many Business Leaders have proposed. Third, well take steps to deal responsibility with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live in our country. I want to say more about this third issue base it generates the most passion and controversy. Even as we are a nation of immigrants, were also a nation of laws. Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws. And i believe that they must be held accountable. Especially those who may be dangerous. Thats why over the past six years, deportations of criminals are up 80 . And thats why were going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom whos working hard to provide for her kids. Well proceed over ties, just like Law Enforcement does every day. But even as we focus on deporting criminals, the fact is millions of immigrants in every state, of every race and nationality, still live here illegally. Let be honest. Tracking down, rounding up, and deporting millions of people isnt realistic. Anyone who suggests otherwise isnt being straight with you. Its also not who we are as americans. After all, most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard. Often in tough, lowpaying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are americanborn or spent most of their lives here. And their hopes, dreams and patriotism are just like ours. As my predecessor, president bush, once put it, they are a part of american life. Now, heres the thing. We expect people who live in this country to play by the rules. We expect that those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded. So were going to offer the following deal. If youve 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 youre willing to pay your fair share of taxes, youll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. Thats what this deal is. Now, lets be clear about what it isnt. This deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently. It does not apply to anyone who might come to america illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship or the right to stay here permanently or offer the same benefits that citizens receive. Only congress can do that. All were saying is, were not going to deport you. I know some of the critics of this action call it amnesty. Well, its not. Amnesty is the immigration system we have today. Millions of people who live here, without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time. Thats the real amnesty. Leaving this broken system the way it is. Mass amnesty would be unfair. Mass deportation would be both impossible and contrary to our character. What im describing is accountability. A commonsense middleground approach. If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If youre a criminal, youll be deported. If you plan to enter the u. S. Illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up. The actions im taking are not only lawful, theyre the kinds of actions taken by every single republican president and every single democratic president for the past half century. And to those members of congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where congress has failed, i have one answer. Pass a bill. I want to work with both parties to pass a more permanent legislative solution. And the day i sign that bill into law, the actions i take will no longer be necessary. Meanwhile, dont let a disagreement over a single issue be a dealbreaker on every issue. Thats not how our democracy works. And Congress Certainly shouldnt shut down our government again just because we disagree on this. Americans are tired of gridlock. What our country needs from us right now is a common purpose. A higher purpose. Most americans support the types of reforms ive talked about tonight. But i understand the disagreements held by many of you at home. Millions of us, myself included, go back generations in this country. Sith ancestors who put in the painstaking work to become citizens. So we dont like the notion that anyone might get a free pass to american citizenship. I know some worry immigration will change the very fabric of who we are or take our jobs or stick it to middleclass families at a time when they already feel like theyve gotten the raw deal for over a decade. I hear those concerns. But thats not what these steps would do. Our history and the facts show that immigrants are a net plus for our economy and our society. And i believe its important that all of us have this debate without impugning each others character. Because for all the back and forth of washington, we have to remember that this debate is about something bigger. Its about who we are as a country. And who we want to be for future generations. Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law . Or are we a nation that gives them a chance to make amends, take responsibility, and give their kids a Better Future . Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents arms . Or are we a nation that values families and works together to keep them together . Are we a nation that educates the worlds best and brightest in our universities, only to send them home to create businesses in countries that compete against us . Or are we a nation that encourages them to stay and create jobs here, create businesses here, create industries right here in america . Thats what this debate is all about. We need more than politics as usual when it comes to immigration. We need reasoned, thoughtful, compassionate debate that focuses on our hopes. Not our fears. I know the politics of this issue are tough. But let me tell you why i have come to feel so strongly about it. Over the past years ive seen the determination of immigrant fathers who worked two or three jobs without taking a dime from the government. And at risk any moment of losing it all just to build a better life for their kids. Ive seen the heartbreak and anxiety of children whose mothers might be taken away from them just because they didnt have the right papers. Ive seen the courage of students who, except for the circumstances of their birth, are as american as malia or sasha, students to bravely come out as undocumented in hopes they could make a difference in the country they love. These people our neighbors, our classmates, our friends they did not come here in search of a free ride or an easy life. They came to work. And study. And serve in our military. And above all, contribute to americas success. Now tomorrow ill travel to las vegas and meet with some of these students, including a young woman named astrid silva. Astrid was brought to america when she was 4 years old. Her only possessions were a cross, her doll, and the frilly dress she had on. When she started school, she didnt speak any english. She caught up to other kids by reading newspapers and watching pbs. And she became a good student. Her father worked in landscaping, her mom cleaned other peoples homes. They wouldnt let astrid apply to a Technology Magnet school, not because they didnt love her, but because they were afraid the paperwork would out her as an undocumented immigrant. So she applied behind their back and got in. Still, she mostly lived in the shadows. Until her grandmother, who visited every year from mexico, passed away. And she couldnt travel to the funeral without risk of being found out and deported. It was around that time she decided to begin advocating for herself and others like her. And today astrid silva is a College Student working on her third degree. Are we a nation that kicks out a striving, hopeful immigrant like astrid . Or are we a nation that finds a way to welcome her in . Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger. We were strangers once too. My fellow americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once too. And whether our forbears were strangers who crossed the atlantic, or the pacific, or the rio grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in and taught them that to be an american is about something more than what we look like or what our last names are or how we worship. What makes us americans is our shared commitment to an ideal. That all of us are created equal. And all of us have the chance to make of our lives what we will. Thats the country our parents and grandparents and generations before them built for us. Thats the tradition we must uphold. Thats the legacy we must leave for those who are yet to come. Thank you. God bless you. And god bless this country we love. That is president obama speaking from the white house. He spoke for about 15 minutes on using his executive powers to change what he calls a broken immigration system. His announcement will affect nearly 5 million undocumented people in the u. S. Mostly undocumented parents who have lived here for more than five years and are u. S. Citizens. He also was talking about as allowing more people into this country, but also building up the Border Patrol, sending more resources. At one point in his speech he talked about the border illegal crossings, the lowest since the 1970s. But he said more needs to be done. And finally, among the bullet points here, especially here around the bay area, to increase bringing over from Foreign Countries highskilled workers. Whether hes referring to h1bs or student visas, well see the details in the next days and weeks to come. We have local reaction, multiple reports, beginning with the potential political consequences of tonights announcement. Mark matthews spoke with several local republicans and joins us from several of the watch parties across the bay area. This ones in San Francisco. Reporter behind me you can hear the chanting, yes, we can. I spent the day talking with Republican Leaders in california. The vice chair of the Republican Party and a former spokesman for the california Republican Party. The response from the Republicans National leadership has been emphatic. Were going to fight the president tooth and nail if he continues down this path. Reporter asked if he would attempt to shut down the government, speaker of the house john boehner responded, the gops goal is to stop the president. All the options are on the table. Were having discussions with our members. There are no decisions been made as to how we will fight this if he proceeds. Reporter but here in california, some republicans are backing away. I think people are upset about it, but i dont think youre going to see the type of inflammatory response and selfdestructive response from our party that youve seen in prior attempts to get us to take the bait. Reporter vice chair of the state Republican Party leo lacaillo is a former state Party Spokesman who runs an immigration consulting business. This measure would be detrimental to the Republican Party if they fight it. Reporter he says his party suffered by siding with governor pete wilsons antiimmigration stance. Latinos rallied and the Republican Party in california is still paying the price. If they challenge in court, theyre going to lose. Reporter California Republicans say, dont take the bait. But the rest of the country may not follow. Theyre going to regard this as an act of war. Reporter stanford political scientist bruce cain says the president has put republicans in a bind. If obama goes forward and then the party base gets very exercised and upset about this, then all the tensions which we know are there in the Republican Coalition are just going to burst wide open. Reporter that, says professor cain, is the danger republicans face and something the Obama Administration might very well consider before making this announcement. Reporting from the Union Headquarters watch party in San Francisco, mark matthews, nbc bay area news. Very loud, very active in San Francisco. Also in the south bay as well. People gathering at this san jose church, our lady of Guadalupe Church in the south bay. Scott mud ban is there with what their reaction is to tonights address. Reporter hey, guys. The guadeloupe church, several dozen came to listen to the speech. We had nods, shoulder shrugs. Caesar sha juarez among those here, curious what you thought, any surprises from what you heard tonight . Im glad of this announcement. My communitys going to benefit. I grew up in the east side of san jose where hundreds of thousands of people are undocumented. And many of them will benefit from this change. A little bit disappointed. Im a dhaka recipient. My mom would not benefit from this change. But its a step in the right direction. I think this nations going in the right direction. And im glad that president obama did this. Thank you very much, caesar. People are going to discuss this a little while. Im scott budman, back to you. A lot of different reactions going on right now. Thank you so much. Tomorrow president obama will take hiS Immigration message on the road to las vegas where hes going to appear at a rally and officially sign these proposals. Damian trujillo will be there as it happens. Look for his live reports beginning tomorrow morning on today in the bay. We continue our coverage of this landmark issue online at nbcbayarea. Com. Our Investigative Unit has been examining the Immigration Crisis for months. To watch their special reports click on the top story box on the front page of our website. Our other headlines tonight, the states Public UtilitiesCommission Approved a 1 million fine against pg e today in response to a growing email scandal. Our chief Investigative Reporter tony kobe 11 ski has been tracking these issues from the beginning. Many people are disappointed with todays ruling. Disappointed because they say the penalty didnt go far enough in punishing pg e for bad behavior. More evidence of an improper relationship that some say has turned from cozy to corrupt. Mr. Peterman . Aye. Commissioner picker . Aye. Reporter 30, commissioners fined pg e 1 million for violations of rules that govern how pg and eliminate are allowed to communicate. Private emails to Commission President peavy and commissioner mike florio, attempting to influence the selection of an Administrative Law judge. It was a move that violated puc policy and muddied the water as the commission considers a penalty against pg e for the 2010 explosion in san bruno. A milliondollar fine is not a lot of money to pg and eliminate. A milliondollar fine is a drop in the bucket when you consider that pg e makes 1 billion annually. And there is absolutely no repercussion to pg and es actions. Reporter the action fell short of what many expected. Consumer watchdogs wanted the commission to force pg e to release more than 60,000 emails that may have violated rules regarding how pg e and the cpuc communicate, that may expose even more of an inappropriately cozy relationship. I mean, theres 65,000 emails the cpuc either needs to look at or the u. S. Attorney needs to step in and expand their investigation and make sure that we know the full story. I mean, were ratepayers, we deserve to know the full story, not just a little piece of it. Reporter commissioners also required pg e shareholders to cover the cost of rate impacts to customers as a result of the secret negotiations. That fine could also go as high as 400 million. Pg e says theres no disagreement here. The emails in question are inappropriate and it believes some violated the pucs rules. Tonight at 11 00, more questions about pg es performance. This time the security of critical substations in northern and central california. Following our investigation, a state senator and a former president of the puc are calling for action. Thats tonight at 11 00. We hold pg e accountable for security breakdowns. If you have a tip for our Investigative Unit call 888996tips. Or email theunit nbcbayarea. Com. We got a good soaking today. Get ready for round three. Mom . Dad . Big uncle wayne . Nut. Hot chocolate. Green tea. Uh, decaf, cuz. Wow. Im dying for an herbal tea. The all new keurig 2. 0 is here. Right here in San Francisco. Whether its helping local businesses like the fruitguys grow and prosper, supporting nonprofits like juma ventures as they fulfill their mission or helping neighborhoods like the tenderloin become vibrant communities. If theres a way to help the people of San Francisco thrive and succeed, well find it. Thats the power of local connections. Thats bank of america. Heavy rain and light netian right now over the bay area. Its like the second round of what happened this morning. Weve got some uplift in the atmosphere. Again, that is firing off some heavier storm cells. The first area of concern is right here near San Francisco. It looks like we may see some of this progress towards downtown as we head throughout the next 15 to 20 minutes through chinatown by 5 31, through downtown at 5 33. The second complex of storms not only producing heavy rainfall but lightning and hail, likely. 5 inches in diameter. This has been going now about 35 minutes. The thing is rainfall is moving off toward the east. So its now beginning to impact areas across camel. Well likely see this cross through downtown san jose as we head into about 5 34 tonight. Were continuing to track those heavier areas of rainfall through this evening. Then well see a break in the activity for friday. A cold day tomorrow. All temperatures expected to be upper 50s and low 60s. Downtown san jose 64. Most of San Francisco in the low 60s. Again, some drier weather coming your way for fridays forecast. Well hold on to the clouds. Nap that 64. Trivalley temperatures in the low 60s. Weve been mentioning this next storm system on tap. By 11 00 friday that lines up to the north. Looks like as we head throughout your saturday morning thats going to be in the north bay. Eventually moving to the south bay as we head throughout the late Morning Hours on saturday. Then your saturday afternoon does look to clear out. So again, a third system on the way as we head throughout saturday. Your extended forecast does eventually have a drier weather pattern sunday, monday, and also for tuesday. Again, over the next 30 to 45 minutes, watch out in the south bay. Weve got heavier rain headed your way. A lot happening at the white house today. Before the president S Immigration speech, he honored some of the smartest people in the country. Many of whom are from here in the bay area. President obama awarding the National Medal of science, technology, and innovation. 18 recipients today, eight of them are from the bay area. Full disclosure, among them my uncle on the left, stanford professor thomas kylof, he shaped a lot of technology we use daily. Hes taught many of the silicon valleys brightest minds. 1957, when i came to this country, i could never imagine all the nice things that have happened, all the people that have helped me, my wonderful students who work with me. Its a dream. Very nice to see that. Among the other bay area recipients dr. Thomas fogerty and the cofounder of sand disk eli herari. We came from a small village in india. To see him there today, so thrilled for our family. Also very fumbled to see him at the white house. So emotional watching that. I know he was an inspiration to you and so many out there. Congratulations to him and your family. Thats incredible. We also have a programming note. Because of the president s address, bay area proud will air tomorrow at 5 00 p. M. Garvin thomas is going to show us whats inspiring a south bay woman to run from new york to the bay area. Shes going to average about a marathon a day, 26 miles a day. Coming up at 6 00, more on our immigration coverage and what the president said tonight, how it affects the bay area. On our broadcast tonight, no showdown over imgration, the president live from the white house boldly going where he threatened to go, and its controversial. Nightly news begins now. A special good evening for our viewers in the west. As we come on the air, the president speaking live from the white house, laying out his plan for immigration. As he threatened and promised, going around congress, doing what republicans had warned him not to do. Our senio