I honestly think the OP was expecting too much. I pretty much expected that the EO would only cover certain groups, although I earnestly hoped parents of DACA beneficiaries would be included. The President is a constitutional law professor. At the end of the day, his EO has to be able to help as many as possible, but also be able to stand up to court challenges. While we have certain rights under the Constitution, in the eyes of the public and, ultimately, courts, USCs and LPRs have more of a right to be here than we do. During the summer, Rep. Gutierrez and others tried to create the new group of DREAMers. And the discussion was always framed around the parents of LPRs and USCs (particularly those who are minors, as they are placed in the foster care system when parents are deported). We should all be grateful we qualified for the initial program and that older DREAMers have now been extended the same opportunity we had.
I'm especially thankful since I'm part of a mixed status family. My little brothers no longer have to worry that they will get news that our mother will be deported (which was a real possibility for us some years ago, when she was caught DWL).
If the required number of years would have been too high, immigrants rights activists would have been coming for him much like they already are, since some of the community seems to think he hasn't done enough with the new EO. I'll play devil's advocate here. 8 years is too low. It should have been 15.
Our family has been here for 25 years and we have approved I-130 and a visa available. But we're dealing with the 10 year ban. We tried to legalize. Using your logic, I should be upset that he's giving deferred action to people who didn't even attempt to adjust and have been here less time than we have. I am not. In fact, I am ecstatic that he's actually doing something to help the undocumented population. At the end of the day, he could have continued to take the heat, but he didn't. He's putting himself out there, much to his own detriment. I have seen so many posts on twitter, on this message board, and another where people are busy belly aching instead of being humble and grateful.