E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama's new program covers more than one million people brought to the country as illegal immigrants. Applicants around the country say they no longer have to live in the shadows. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
Foreign consulates, lawyers’ offices and advocacy organizations were abuzz with activity as the federal government on Wednesday began allowing certain young undocumented immigrants who came to America as children to apply for the right to legally stay and work in the country.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting applications for consideration of “deferred action”— a two-year reprieve from any threat of deportation, with the possibility of renewal. The new Obama administration program, a radical and controversial change in immigration policy, was announced by Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano in mid-June.
The government posted the application forms online on Tuesday.
In Chicago, thousands of people lined up Wednesday morning at Navy Pier, a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, for one of many “DREAM Relief Day” activities scheduled across the nation. The informational event was sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to help immigrants apply for the reprieve and get work permits.
"It's an opportunity that we've been waiting for basically for a really long time, and finally it's here," one potential applicant, Edalid Miranda, told NBC Chicago.
NBCChicago.com
Young people wait at Navy Pier in Chicago on Wednesday to get information and assistance with applications for relief from the threat of deportation for two years.
Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Mayor Rahm Emanuel were among the elected officials at the event.
A new program allows young illegal immigrants the chance to avoid deportation. WTVJ's Julia Bagg reports.
“The people who say undocumented immigrants don't really want to be part of this country will have to rethink that when they see hundreds of thousands or maybe a million young people come forward to sign up in the coming weeks and months,” Gutierrez, a strong backer of the new Obama policy, said in a news release.
A day earlier, an essay by Gutierrez titled “Ten Reasons Young People Should Come Forward For Deferred Action” was published in the Huffington Post.
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
In California, lines formed outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles for a workshop to help people through the paperwork.
"It means a lot to me," Brenda Robles, of Torrance, told NBC Los Angeles. "Now I can be legal. Now I can do what everybody does -- work legally and have something that shows I can work. I won't have fear anymore.
"After I got out of high school, I saw all my friends looking for jobs. I had to get a baby-sitting job to pay for my school."
Young undocumented immigrants across the country have been busy assembling the records and documents they might need to satisfy the application requirements.
“People are very, very anxious to file, so we’ve been telling them to over-prepare,” Emid Gonzalez, manager of legal services at Casa de Maryland, told The Washington Post. The group scheduled an afternoon workshop Wednesday that promised to be well-attended. “The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Gonzalez told the newspaper.
Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters
People line up for help with paperwork for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
In New York City, more than 1,000 young people and their families showed up Wednesday for a workshop and legal clinic at St. Mary's Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the New York Immigration Coalition said. "Today we embark on a road to deferred action, work authorization, and the ability of eligible young people to pursue their dreams in the country they call home," Chung-Wha Hong, coalition executive director, was quoted as saying in a press release. "Let’s hope this is the first step to the kinds of reform our country, and our communities, so desperately need.”
At the Honduran Consulate in Washington on Tuesday, a line of people wrapped around the building before it was open for business, and the office was crowded for much of the day, The Associated Press reported. Honduran Consulate officials said the number of people applying for passports has more than doubled in the past week, and almost all of them have said they were getting passports to apply to stay in the U.S.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
People fill out paperwork at the Honduras Embassy in Washington on Tuesday.
Mayra Rivera, 47, brought her children, ages 18 and 20, to the consulate from Philadelphia to help them apply for passports.
"They came here when they were children. So, for them, even though they are from Honduras ... this is their adoptive country and they love it a lot," Rivera said in Spanish, according to AP. "For them to succeed ... is like winning the Lotto."
Chris Bentley, a spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Services in Washington, said Wednesday it’ll be about two weeks before the government has preliminary numbers on how many people filed for the deportation reprieve on the first day. The first approval could come within a month, he said.
Related stories:
NBC Latino: Tips on filing a successful deferred action application
Illegal immigrants are warned of scammers as new Obama policy takes effect
Chasing a 'dream': Immigrant youth seek legal status
NBC Latino: Opinion: Confusion over Obama’s immigration changes
Obama administration won't seek deportation of young illegal immigrants
Skepticism, joy among illegal immigrants over Obama decision
Once an individual's application is received, the data is logged and the person gets a receipt number. The applicant must also go to an application support center to be fingerprinted and photographed. A background check is also done.
Applicants should find out within a few weeks whether they’ve been approved.
“USCIS has developed a rigorous review process for deferred action requests under guidelines issued by Secretary Napolitano,” said Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “Childhood arrivals who meet the guidelines and whose cases are deferred will now be able to live without fear of removal, and be able to more fully contribute their talents to our great nation.”
The Migration Policy Institute and the Pew Hispanic Center estimate that as many as 1.7 million undocumented immigrants could be eligible to apply under the program, formally called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
To be considered, applicants must meet these criteria:
- Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
- Came to the United States before reaching their 16th birthday;
- Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
- Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action;
- Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or their lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Information from NCBChicago.com, NBCLosAngeles.com and The Associated Press is included in this story.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Drought sends Mississippi River into 'uncharted territory'
- 'Crazy': Dozens of dead birds fall from the sky in New Jersey
- Drought expected to take toll at checkout
- US government weighs using blimps at Mexico border
- Video: Wildfires spread in California foothills
- Cops: Man steals pot from police because 'it smelled so good'
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
Yevrah Kahn,
It's non of your business how long they've been. Worry about your own sh$#. And have you thought about changing your name? It doesn't sound very American. Is that like a Jew boy name?
Wow aren't you an intellectual 911???? How did this post survive without your thoughtless & irrelevant comments thrown in every once in awhile.
american citizens are on thier own .don't expect no help from the republicans because they are in bed with corporations for cheap labor.definitely don't expect none from the demoncrats because they just want another permanant underclass to throw crumbs to ensure another non-thinking voting block.
How can the parents of illegal children bring them to get their deferment papers when it was the parents who brought them illegally here in the 1st place?!?!? Should not those parents be questioned or detained when the authorities speak to them in behalf of their kids?!?
The more laws countries try to put into place the more chaos ensues. It will be such a relief when all of this is over & this system collapses as it is, in fact, now doing.
Last time I checked any of my traps, scored almost 200 dollars for the season. (avid hunter) But never in my life would I ever, let out any of the game so they could have a better life. So since you already know where all these illegals are WHY LET THEM GO????......Hey! Heres an idea, lets get some money back for these illegals. I say let em stay as long as mexico pays for there care and cost to the American People plus 200% inflation. For every illegal here the mexican gov. has to give $200'000 plus 200%. If they dont wanna give us what money it costs to support these illegals DEPORT THEM!! Stupid government FIRE ALL OF THEM!!!!!!
Mike 918253,
No one is iterested in your stupid ideas. What's done is done now just walk away and get over it. Yea, Yea, Yea, the Mexican government nothing.... Blow it out your you know what and get over it and, while you're at it grow up and stop bickering like a little girl.... boohoo,hoo ya lil puss...
Comparing immigrants to animals that you trap and kill, and yet you'd be shocked if anybody pointed out the racism in that line of comparison.
It's a good day in America when you piss off all the low life racist rednecks that post on these boards... I'm loving it...
Bobm346250, Unlike you, I have a job and that is why my comments are thrown in once in a while. I just couldn't let this story get passed me.
So much hatred, it breaks my heart. And unless you're 100% Native American, you don't have the right to be so territorial. We're a country built on immigration. Deal with it.
E-verify is the solution to the immigration problems. Romney will make e-verify the law. vote for Romney.
Jose:
This election is far from a one issue election.
What else do you offer?
Jose:
Are you either in or signed up for the military?
The only reason I ask, is that I think that a vote for Romney is a vote to send our patriots into Iran and/or the surrounding region.
If you and/or your kids are willing to go, and ready to go and relieve the rest of us and our kids, then a vote in the direction you suggest might be considered.
Damn, when will some of you understand that this is not a "one" issue election?
Espero que todos tengan una tarde gloriosa. Muy buenas tardes a mis amigos que hablan castellano, italiano e inglés. Buenas tardes. Buon pomeriggio. Good afternoon. Por mi profesión como profesor, traductor y ahora un consultor independiente, he sido muy afortunado por haber estudiado y trabajado con algunos eruditos los más inteligentes en este país. Enseñé español e inglés en Alabama y Texas. Ahora en California, abogo por la inclusión de la educación bilingüe en el aula. Hablo ambos idiomas diariamente y trabajo con varios hispanos desde España hasta la Argentina. Sé sin ninguna duda que la resistencia a aprender otros idiomas es un grave problema en este país. La mayoría de los ciudadanos aquí, lamentablemente, no quiere aprender a hablar otra lengua además de inglés. La falta de interés en el aprendizaje de otros idiomas siempre resulta en una mente estrecha. Una mente así siempre resulta en un prejuicio contra las personas de otras razas. Cada latino que conozco habla al menos dos lenguas y trabaja desde la madrugada hasta el anochecer. Muchos de mis amigos tienen una jornada que se deslomaría el espíritu y la espalda de millones de residentes en este país. Mis colegas hispanos poseen títulos de universidades en América Latina así como aquí. Uno de mis compañeros de trabajo habla las seis lenguas romances principales con soltura y en veinticuatro lenguajes en total él puede dar saludos a la gente ajena e identificar la ropa tradicional de su patria. ¡Órale e híjole! Este hombre tan inteligente con tres títulos desde La Universidad de California en Berkley es mexicano o como dice él chicano por su nacimiento aquí. Otro profesor mexicano que conozco nació en los Altos de Jalisco, México habla alemán y chino en cima de hablar castellano, inglés e italiano. ¡Ay caramba! De nuevo tengo que reclamar contra la gente que echa culebras y sapos hacia los inmigrantes. He dado la media vuelta para decir: ¡Vivan los inmigrantes! Vuelvo a exclamar: ¡Viva español! Siempre seguiré adelante y me marcharé al lado de los inmigrantes en las manifestaciones y las marchas desde San Juan Bautista hasta mi pueblo de Santa Cruz como he hecho antes.
Ud. ha sido jalado. Después de revisar su escrito y llevar a cabo un análisis interno y externo, se nota los siguientes errores garrafales:
If you don't speak English then get out, actually, more importantly, STAY OUT!!
Je n'irais pas à votre pays et espérer que les gens parlent anglais. De plus, privent les citoyens. Sortez et rester en dehors.
Seudo-erudito. Da tus datos personales para que cobijes a los ilegales.
Fu in quel dolore
che a me venne l'amor!
Voce piena d'armonia e dice
Vivi ancora! Io son la vita!
Ne' miei occhi è il tuo cielo!
Speak English, or get the hell out.
People should be able to learn more than one language. Studies show that people who can speak more than one language are less prone to coming down with Alzheimer's disease. You might want to give that some consideration next time you guys go on a rant about speak English only. How boring is that, to only be able to speak one language?
English is the common bond that galvanizes our nation.
Speak it or get the hell out.
Hey, Disgusted Conservative. I told them. This is the USA. The official language is English. Period.
(Plus I, my parents, had to pay a lot of money to learn it. Not for free, or at the expense of others.)
911 loose change. More like loose brains. I refuse to be forced too learn a foreign language too accomodate illegals in my country. Respect my country's laws. Respect my country. . They, illegals, do NOT respect the U.S.A. Nor it's laws, time for them too go.
All that this amounts to is a way to BUY VOTES!! Now they are bumped ahead of thousands of others who are going through the process LEGALLY. They can apply for work permits and Drivers licenses as well. This now gives them a number they can use to register to vote. All they have to do is put their residence down. Now we have 1.7 million people who have been given the RIGHT to vote!!! And who do you think they will vote for? The one who gave them a pathway to legal residency...OBAMA! What most people do not realize is that now they will be able to apply for food stamps, welfare and even medicaid. Talk about another way to ruin a city, county or states budget. This makes me sick.
It makes me more than sick. I'd like to be able to throw up right under Obama's bedroom window. There are no words to describe what he has done to this country by this act. And Congress let him do it without uttering a word!
Albert, you sure are no Einstein. For the one hundredth time here, people who are not American citizens are not allowed to vote goof. Just as Felons they are not able to vote. Stop making up lies as you go along. People are laughing at your ignorance. You might want to try to read something pertaining to the State Laws before posting your made up B/S.....
You are wrong. You do not have to prove citizenship when you register to vote!!! Do you not remember when you registered to vote? All it takes is an address or proof a residence. Phone bill, electric bill, or a water bill. And proof of who you are. Now that they can apply for drivers licenses in their respective states and GET THEM, all that is needed is to enter their new drivers license number and viola*. They are now able to vote in ANY election they want to...city, count, state or national election. I might not be an Einstein, but I do know the laws regarding voter registration. If you do not believe me then register again, under any other name you choose. If you do not have a Drivers license, state ID number they will GIVE YOU ONE. Go see who easy it is... I DARE YOU!!! Oh and how many Felons get taken off the rolls every year? Do you really think they have the manpower to police every application that crosses their desks?
A bunch of illegal fleas let into this country years ago that bred free now just so Obama can court the Mexican vote. He must really be in dire straits for a vote. As far as I am concerned it is one more reason NOT to vote for him. He has consistently broke our federal laws. In fact, ignored them. This country does not need a President who ignores our laws just so he can garner votes. These losers will now be able to apply for the food stamps they desperately wanted and every other govt (taxpayer paid) benefit US citizens get, and US citizens get to pay their damn tab. Watch the unemployment rate go sky high and the uninsured. If this country doesn't get Obama out of office (and Holder along with him (especially)), murderers will be the next ones to go free.
Republicans are always scared of people of color.
Interaffairs:
I have a lot of reasonable friends who are Republicans, and I respect each and every opinion they have.
Our problem on a National platform, is that we have some far out "hippies"....like rightest "hippies"....that will burn any concept of this countries movement forward for their own concern, most of it drilled into their minds by the well groomed cable folks on conservative channels. Those folks know their marketing. Ha!
Some of us watch in amazement when the "nurf balls" are passed with aplomb, but wonder the outcome of the toss? Laugh, laugh, have to cry.
Obama is really determined to wrap up the illegal vote. If he is re-elected, the next executive order will be a similar amnesty for mamacita and papacito as well as all the other chicas y chicos. Can M13 be far behind?
Catzenjammer:
Some of us could care less anymore.
You want a country? Take the 50% that agree with you and rule.
Just realize that the 50% you represent need to tote the load from now on. We're not a country of different philosophy that can consider meeting middle ground anymore.
So...you win the election....you take 50% responsibility for making sure this country survives. If we 1 percenters no longer have to pay our way, we will jump onboard only when required to do so.
We're a sick bunch of fools, wouldn't you say?
I say grant them amnesty legalize them then close the border and increase patrols against illegals. As far as those who are claiming that they are steeling our jobs. blah blah blah. Go out west and see who are out in the feilds getting paid 2.00 a bushel of cucumbers or beans its not MR. and Mrs. Smith i can tell you that. Its the Gomez family yes family all of them from 6 to 60 out there picking. I did my week in the feild as a punishment from my parents for well just being a teenager. Those were some long days but like I said I was only there for a week the families I met went from feild to feild everyday month after month.
I'm just saying to some extent we need the immigrants to do the jobs that we feel are benieth us or doesnt pay enough.
It should be people on welfare picking, I bet they will get off welfare Quick And True Americans will do what ever job to feed its Family, You think Paving roads, or Roofing, Or oil Field work is easy. Americans Built this Country. Immigrants but Legal. Legal sinking in yet.
Would any one like to know what it takes for a foreigner to come to the US, as a student?
This is not only unfair, but immature and ridiculous. See you in Novemeber.
$11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare
To illegal aliens each year by state governments.
Verify
At: ite/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecenters7fd8
2.
$22 Billion dollars a year is spent on food
Assistance programs such as food stamps,
WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
Verify
At:
3.
$2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on
Medicaid for illegal aliens.
Verify at:
4.
$12 Billion dollars a year is spent on
Primary and secondary school education
For children here illegally and they
Cannot speak a word of English!
Verify
At: CNN.com/TRANscriptS/0604/01/ldt...0.HTML</ a> < font color="darkblue">
5.
$17 Billion dollars a year is spent for
Education for the American-born
Children of illegal aliens, known as
Anchor babies.
Verify
At CNN.com/TRANscriptS/0604/01/ldt.01.HTML</ a>
6.
$3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to
Incarcerate illegal aliens.
Verify at:
</ a>
7.
30% percent of all Federal Prison
Inmates are illegal aliens.
Verify at:
</ a>
8.
$90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on
Illegal aliens for Welfare & social
Services by the American taxpayers.
Verify
At:
9.
$200 Billion dollars a year in suppressed
American wages are caused by the illegal
Aliens.
Verify
At: </ a>
13.
In 2006, illegal aliens sent home
$45 BILLION in remittances to their
Countries of origin.
Verify
At:. </..rense.com/general75/niht.htm>
14.
The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration:
Nearly One million sex crimes committed
By Illegal Immigrants In The United States .
Verify
At: http: // www.drdsk.com/articleshtml
M
The total cost is a whopping
$ 338.3 BILLION DOLLARS
watash:
Don't worry about it. Actual Americans will take care of it.
And don't be ashamed if you're from a generation that doesn't fully understand quite yet.
If you don't want to pay for anything, you certainly don't have to. Just move on to whereever you think it will be great.
I think it's funny how those that are robbing and bankrupting our system are offended by the term "illegal" and the article even calls them PC "undocumented"
This Government stealing real american jobs and handing them to these wetbacks and anchor babies with wet back parents called citizens. both my neighbors are wetbacks and all three of their kids ( Called US Citizens are choking our schools and forcing them to be school mates and bringing in their new bugs and sicknesses so our kids have to deal with them etc. etc. On our money. both these neighbors get and work everyday, have 5 cars for a 5 person family and we are paying. All these wetbacks are getting free rides because our forefathers died at the Alamo and I guarantee they are rolling over in their graves just like everyone else who fights to protect this sovereign land. I guess the government really doesnt care about you or and real citizens, all they have ever cared about is money. Yep time for a change alright. Time to make an interim government for the poor that helps the poor and actually cares about it and take all our money away from the regime who thinks they make the best decisions for our country. When a regime goes into private quarters to determine the best living arrangements for us citizens without our input and shoving it down our throats it is time for them to go. Biggest lying bastards I have ever seen. Isnt that right Mr. Assange. That is all you are at best and the other thing is stupid as a stick. All you care about is yourselves. Get out of our country you mexican loving mothers. Get out. Your worse than communists. Your time is coming to an end soon because of the debt you have caused this country. Worse yet God hates the United States and does not respect the country at all because of all you stupid dumbass politicians. Yep I said stupid politicians. Get out of our country all of you mexicans. Get out now. You dont belong here. You dont deserve any of our jobs or to step on our sovereign property. Its not yours to use get out. You have ruined our country and we hate our government for this. Greedy is the word. They dont care how many jobs they steal from us. They really dont. Every one of you communistic politicians need to move out of our country and live in mexico with all the corrupt government and human right violaters just as yourselves are. Take some control of your country Mexico and quit ruining ours as well. All for drug trafficking. What a piece of crap government we really have. Isnt that right Mr. Obama. Black dude running a white country. Makes alot of since doesnt it. Yes come on in says this regime and take as many jobs from as many citizens as you like. Get out of our country. OUR COUNTRY! NOT THE GOVERNMENTS COUNTRY, OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You dont want to but heads with real citizens cause we will kick you to the curb. You dont belong here whatsoever. There is no reason for you to stay and we the people Dont want you here. We dont care what our piece of crap government thinks because they are full of all kinds of lies and deceit these days. Isnt that right Mr. Bush Oil Corporation regime. You all better take a look at this terrible piece of crap called a government these days and think about adjustments. Like taking your money away from them so they cant use it and giving it back to us not them for things we need and not for illegal immigrants to line up at the hospitals for anchoring babies down. All you politicians can kiss my ass, all of you. You think Im afraid of your dumb asses just because you have stupid ass star wearers protecting your asses. Thats right your asses. They dont do crap for us. Just mostly get harrassed by the corporate protectors who are dumb as sticks. God is pissed at you and will continue to be pissed at you for turning your back on him. Oh I can point this out for you if I need to. You see Im a very smart man and not dumbed down like alot of American citizens without voices. Mine is here for all of you who cant. I hate this country and for me to say this speaks for itself. A really pissed off citizen who is very angry with our very very dumb politicians who do not deserve to run this country any longer. Time for them to be done that is the change you as citizens should be concerned about. This is where it starts. Make it mandatory for poor and middle income to have high seats in the government and then see if it doesnt change. Piss on these corporate idiots sticking it up ours. Time to stick it up theirs. People you need to see the truth, Its right here. Not on TV, right here.
Startover123;
You are not alone, and the Government knows this that and why they want to take our guns away. So when they pass more restrictions against Americans. The Corps are lobbying this. We the people don't count. The politician's always say this and that about what the American People want, how do they know they didn't ask me, did they ask you. How about The Congress go back to their District and vote on things their People want not what the LOBBYIST Fools want. Seems like taxes without representation.
Yep, more Obama welfare at taxpayer expense. Whats new!!
we american's should be happy... we still got bingo and lotto...if they take that away we will still have baseball hotdogs and apple pie...not to mention allthe bad comment's ,for free!!
Is our government that stupid, no wonder we are broke. Let more of these illegal immigrants in our country, don' they remember the Alamo. Now I have to learn to speak spanish, pay for they for 12 kids per mexican family. How much more suffering can Obama cause, I didn't want to vote for mormon but what other choice to I have in order to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit Happiness, instead, I can give my wealth to the undocumented illegal useless third world people.
Until EVERY LAST INCUMBENT is voted out of office this November, nothing will change. Our country has been sold out for the greed of a few.
Well once they've overrun our country and everyone is speaking Spanish, and there are open sewers, kids playing in dirt streets with rags for clothes and we're begging for spare change. Then all eyes will be on Canada, everybody and their cousin will want to immigrate there, the U.S. is now a third world country and useless, Canada here we come.
moved this comment
nothing but mice