ST. CLOUD - Even with a potential immigration decision coming from President Barack Obama, St. Cloud area immigrants are unlikely to feel much of an impact.

President Obama is planning to sign executive actions on Friday that could spare as many as 5 million illegal immigrants from deporation.

According to information from the St. Cloud Immigration Fact Sheet, around 4,484 foreign born individuals live in St. Cloud, making up 6.8 percent of its population. However, most of these immigrants are from Eastern Africa as refugees, which is legal status in the United States.

St. Cloud State economist King Banaian says any action taken by Obama wouldn't have much of an impact on St. Cloud.

However, Banaian says it could lead more relaxed hiring at maufacturing and food plants in the area.

The most likely groups to be impacted are immigrants from Central or Latin American countries.

The President's decision would include stopping the deportations of immigrants in the U.S. illegally if they're the parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

-This story written with information from the Associated Press-

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