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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.
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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.
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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.
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Leave a Comment:
This action will just bring in even more illegals! These illegals will have children here and ...oh lookie there
a whole bunch of new democratic voters. Our president is supposed to protect our country....not his own interests.
lol and after 3.5 years of his policies you think he gives one iota about what you think?
OMG! It's just horrible! We are being invaded! Run!......hide there coming! LMAO!!!! GO OBAMA!!!!!!
bankrupting america, they cost us working class people 338.3 billion a year.they are cock-roaches. they bankrupt there country now they are doing the same thing here.
Welcome to America! Got to love the hating righties on here LMAO! LOVE IT! GO OBAMA!
Wow really how about the hating lefties give yourself a raise with obama on my son's tax money. Good thing we are not face to face
Is this a joke? Do you really want to see the demise of our country??
Super Bon...I would wish that some POS Illegal takes your Job.....but since you are one of Obozos' monkeys, you probably don't have one....Aren't you supposed to be picking up your food stamps or something. Eat SH*T and Multiply, Turd.
Please don't tell Super Bon to multiply !!! We have enough of that kind of $hit !!!
No joke! LOVE AMERICA! Welcome everyone! Sorry if the haters don't like my welcome sign. GOD BLESS!
Maybe we should all take over Mexico, send their people here and start a new country, you know, one with a Constitution, Bill of Rights and "laws" to protect its CITIZENS! Obama can become the King he's always wanted to be over a bunch of liberals, progressives and welfare recipients while we go make things happen in Mexico.
Now Luke that is a good idea lets take the 2% and all conservatives to Mexico start our own little town since the 2% and rest of us conservatives support 98 percent of the taxes we will be as rich as America in no time
Great idea! Leave our country! We can still dream! GO OBAMA!
At this point we might as well just declare that the borders are wide open and we have no immigration policy at all, because that is basically what it has come to under Obama.
this is b $$hit I waited for a long time to become a permanent resident and then citizen, I spent money, time, etc... how come there just giving them green cards so easy, ohhh I know it must be election year, I voted for Obama but won't this year!!!! good by Obama.
thanks for the deficit, unemployment, the blame game and dividing this country into slices like a pie.
Until recently, I felt the way most of you do about deporting all the illegals and calling them what they are - lawbreakers. But, my new son-in-law is one of the illegals in this country and I see things differently. He was brought here when he was 13 years old by his parents. They escaped Mexico because of the violence and risked their lives to come. They tried to do it the legal way but the red tape was endless. What would any of us do to provide for the safety and security of our children? They did not come here to live off the system (although I know that some do) and they never have. They took on hard labor jobs that most American workers won't do without constant complaining. They taught their children that being in America is a blessing. It was NEVER the childrens' choice to come here but now that they are here, he and his siblings are very productive members of society. They are not criminals and have never had a run-in with the law. If you asked the majority of illegals in this country why they've never come forward, they'd tell you that the first thing that would happen is deportation. They would be taken away from their families and thrown back to the lawless country of Mexico, a place they once lived as children but have nowhere to go today. What if you had grown up here and you faced that same possibility? They are here already so why not allow them the opportunity to work legally, start paying taxes, and become productive citizens? Oh, I'm sure I'll get backlash from this, but let me say that perhaps you should try walking in their shoes for a while before you start judging them and grouping them all together as "scum and criminals."
Also, quit blaming them for our Government being so quick to pass out free education, free healthcare, free food, etc. to them. If we hadn't started giving it to them, no one (including lazy Americans that also benefit from it) wouldn't be expecting it. That's why we have to get Obama out! He seems to enjoy having people being dependant on our government.
So, give them the opportunity to become legal then have an expectation that they will support themselves, get job, pay taxes, pay for their own healthcare, etc. And if they don't, it's our own government that is to blame!
So here is the deal. He came here when he was 13 and he took from my son free education free health care and who knows what else. So I tell you what if he is willing to pay 10% more in taxes every year for every year he was here wiht no deductions except the standard deduction I will consider him to want to be an american if he just wants to stay here and get the benefit going forward after all he has taken without paying my son back for his taking he can go to hell
Jules there is no excuse for law breaking. This is a monstrous insult to millions of law abiding immigrants such as all my family, that came here in the 1800's from Europe, via sailing ships. They went through Ellis Island and into the streets of New York. They helped build the telephone system. The railroads. They fought in 2 wars to keep the world from caving in to oppression and tyranny.
Now oppression and tryanny have been elected President and he is running rough shod over the memories of my great grand parents, grand parents and parents! and the country they built!
If you think this farce of amnesty for coming here illegally is such a great thing, then you have a very twisted sense of right and wrong and this country is totally effed!!
And Jules! The government is the people of this country. Reading the posts here, I'd say the majority of American Citizens are outraged by this behavior.
Romney/Ryan 2012!
Look these are young adults and children brought here they didn't come here by themselves. I don't have a problem with these kids being citizens. As long as they are productive members of society
Its funny how the right complains about this but there idolize Regan who gave millions amnesty in the 80's.
There needs to be immigration reform now!!!
1. Build a fence between both borders a real one not an over priced chain link fence. made with American steal 15ft high and 6 ft deep...
2. Use the thousands of unemployed construction workers to do it
3. All immigrants must register with the government. they must show address, documents from home country, give finger print and DNA sample. Once complete they will be given a special ID card and a tax id number, and will be able to receive a drivers license
4. Must register 1yr after fence completion
5. Once #3 is complete they must pay a 1500.00 fine they have 1yr. to pay it.
6. After fine is paid and documents are provided they will be given temporary citizenship for 5yrs.
7. A background check with be conducted with US law enforcement, Interpol, and country of origin. If the applicant comes back clean, and doesn't commit a felony or multiple misdemeanors or no significant misdemeanors they will be granted full US citizenship.
8. Also classified guest workers will be have to complete #3 but will have to pay 500.00 per yr to renew there permit
9. If any of these criteria is violated or not completed by the deadline that person or persons will be deported and bared from entering the US
This idea takes from both the republicans and the democrats plans
The fines and fees will pay for the background checks, cost of the fence, and other expenditures
This plan will help with the manufacturing jobs, unemployment rate, security, cost of medicaid will go down, cost to our education will go down.
This is a win win solution but I doubt the politicians will do any of it
Cops or immigration officers should be there arresting every single one of them for being here illegally. Why aren't they being arrested? Oh yeah, I forgot this is Obama's way to kill America by allowing everyone who doesn't belong here to overrun our country. November can't get here fast enough.
unless your a native American we were all immigrants at one time or another
i don't care if your young or old , get legal the right way, if not then get out of our country, many people before you did it, so quit asking to bend the rules, and quit stealing jobs, and sending money back to mexico, go back home and invade the drug lords
Disgusting! NO other country in the world would allow this perversion of law to exist. These sneaky buggers should do as the Ellis Island immigrants did an arrive with the full intention of learning English and becoming LEGAL U.S. citizens. Assimilating doesn't seem to be their M.O., so it's no real surprise - they're merely here for the parting gifts.
They have no intention of learning English, instead they call Americans ignorant & stupid if they don't know Spanish! They are such hypocrites.
For ALL Military, Vet's, and ALL Americans
Mitt Romney BOUGHT 4 deferments to avoid the Vietnam war, When those deferments ran
out Romney fled the USA and spent the remainder of the war in France under protection of
the Mormon Heirarchy.
Mitt Romney's Son openly stated on National TV that they WOULD NOT join the military and
that it was a good employment opportunity for the POOR.
If for no other reason NO American should vote for the deserter
You mean like Clinton did?
Good for you Obama, destroy the country more with more cheap labor and competition for LEGAL Americans. This country is no longer a melting but but a sesspool.
Obama 2012.....You fight fire with fire...just like the republicans we want to win. Just like the republicans we will do whatever it takes. So stuff it.
Yeah but Republicans can win without overstepping federal law or trampling on the Constitution!
Well, Congress had years to act and refused to do so. Republicans filibustered the DREAM Act, which got a majority of votes.
If Congress is not going to do anything to help the country, it is incumbent on the President to take action. The least effective Congress since post World War 2, a new low 10% approval rating, clearly we can't count on them for anything.
There's no doubt that nbcnews has a liberal bias and usually most of the people posting are liberal, but on all matters of amnesty and illegals probably 90% of the people who post are for border security and no amnesty. Then people who post on conservative news sights are almost all for border security and against amnesty. So on an issue where so many people agree from both sides, why are we allowing a single elected official to dictate a policy that so many people disagree with? How many of you posting here are going to vote to re-elect Pres Obama and continue his circumvention of this country's laws.
so if someone were to call immigration on these people lined up, what would happen? are they exempt at this moment?
If elected, will Romney have the courage to deport these indiviudals who are here illegally and tell them to go back home and get in line with the rest of the world?
I hope so, but I doubt if he has the guts.
We do not have enough jobs for the actual American citizens living in this country and now we are going to bring in more people to take away the few jobs available. These people are here illegally. Period. They need to return home to their own country. Period. People from other counties not connected easily to the United States need to apply and wait up to 10 years to enter this country. Just because your parents came here illegally and you can speak English is no reason to be given any deferrments. And, this is an executive order not even voted on by Congress. Are we now giving our President dictatorial powers? We all know why Obama wants illegals here just like we know why he doesn't want Voter ID (although in all other circumstances you need an ID for almost everything) and that is to get reelected. Right now there are not enough actual citizens to get him reelected. If they do not have these Hispanics or can rig the elections with fraudulent votes they lose. Period
Its a political year.. other than that, who would give a ratts azz about these people.. they lie, steal, corupt, want everything free, don't pay tax's, bring all kinds of new illness's to my country, crime is higher, car insurance is sky high, very nasty, non sterile, will work for anything, stay drunk, or high always, do not know what contraception is, demand rights as a illegal, now we can start on the men...... that was the kids.. YOU GOT EM WHERE YOU WANT THEM... NOW LET EM BOARD THE BUS, AND SEND THEM BACK TO PUCK UP THE NASTY COUNTRY THEY CAME FROM............
The way I see this showing up to give up your anonymity is the last thing an illegal alien should do. Obama might lose and then where would all these people that reported themselves be? Right now these folks have to work for a labor contractor who takes a good slice out of their mostly miminum wage. When they get this work card they can work for anybody, but they are all going to glut the market for labor and be back where they were, making minimum wage. The only difference will be that we will be making minimum wage with them. If this doesn't turn the NAACP against Barack Obama then they are the stupidest bunch on the planet. This is going to kill black employment.
I do not feel sorry for any immigrant, no matter what country they are from.
I DO feel sorry for American citizens who cannot get jobs, because those jobs have been taking by H1-B visa holders or illegal immigrants.
Many young Americans graduating from college today, will find out their engineering or IT job is taken by a person from Pakistan, India or China who is here on an H1-B visa. Many American college students won't be able to get summer jobs because fast food work is now dominated by non-English speaking kids from other countries.
Hold Up Here America....
There are a reported 37,000 Veterans Diability Applications that have not been taken care of...
When that is done AND ONLY WHEN THIS IS DONE...then let's consder those who broke U.S. Laws to illegally enter or stay...if we are using government support to process these claims while Veterans need that support to process their claims...SHAME ON ALL OF US>>>DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, LIBERTARIAN, etc. - It is a DISGRACE! A Damn, PUTRID Disgrace!
DEPORT THEM ALL if one SINGLE DISABLED VETERAN HAS TO WAIT BEHIND THESE "Huddled Masses yearning to take advantage of an election yearn gimmick".
I am sure if a Veteran had a chance to cough up a couple of hundred dollars to get his or her paperwork "put thorugh the system" they surely would. The price they have paid is beyond calculation...yet we will sell out America's greatest gift for less than the price of an iPad...man, never thought to see the day.
(Exception: Those who wore the unfiorm and are awaiting Disability Action who fall under this new "amnesty")
Pull Your Heads Out Americans! Patriots...front and center...time to let your feelings (sh)out about this!
AMERICAN CITIZENS first...VETERANS AND ACTVE DUTY BEFORE THEM! Who do you think is protecting us all?...certainly not this newly "entitled" "group"...
If you listen close enough...yes...this is America gasping its last breaths if this travesty is allowed to go on...makes you want to puke...
How can this country have gotten to the point where it's more imported to process illegal alien applications than it is to serve the needs of our veterans?
By electing a buffoon like Obama.
Welcome to America - we have some disgruntled citizens who don't want competition from the hard working job creating entrepreneurs who seek opportunity.
Most aren't applying for entrepreneurs just cheap labor and feeding off the gov't
are you kidding me, they are only wanting the free handouts and benefits so they can send the money back to their families in different countries. If they want your house abama and holder will let them have it, if not they will scream discrimination and profiling and the courts will let them have it. Wake up americans and oust obama in November, cause if he stays in, this is only the beginning, next we will be known as Northern Mexico not the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, obama will take away the constitution as we know it and it will be called obama land constitution.
They should wait in line like everyone else who has applied. No exceptions.I don't care if from another place tax their asses too. They shouldnt be exempt. No special healthcare either. Otherwise, we will become a third-world country just like others. Legal Americans first. We already have enough problems without adding more illegal immigrants to the mix.
They are waiting in line. This is simply a two year period in which these young people don't have to fear being deported. It's really not a major concession, but it's something. This is just a matter of people getting angry because a few children didn't sign the proper forms.
For all the wonderful "Americans" who have posted their outrage about this, technically, we should ask the NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS who should stay or not......we wonderful "Americans" did take their country, their land, force them to live on horrid reservations and took away their way of life as it was deemed "barbaric" by our forefathers. But, hey, we're AMERICANS!
Yes we didnt do the best thing when we did that. However, that does not justify this at all
Yes, and now the illegals are doing the same to us. It's just a matter of time.