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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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I don't blame young Black Americans for voting Obama in, a lot of White voters voted for him as well. I think it was a good thing at the time. This time around though, in November, you gotta ask yourself just who is Obama looking out after? -- you or illegals? He's sure not looking out for Black Americans or your childrens futures.
Maaaaaaaan, will you look at all those votes......
What a SLAP in the face for all the immigrants trying to get here LEGALLY, ANYTHING for a VOTE, eh OBAMA....PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!
When Reagen gave amnesty, were you crowing about it then? Doubtful. You're another hater without reading all the various articles out there explaining this difficult path. It's not a handout. Stop shooting from the hip and actually read the article before you judge others. Where did your family come from? Did they have visas? Our country is the land of opportunity but it's turning into a hateful mass of people who bitch rather than become part of the solution. Stop playing the victim and do "your" share fair and let the elected officials do "theirs". That is, if you even vote.
Olivia Forever.........you sounded like ....Lone Ranger without Tonto...............................................
1. WE ARE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS.............................................................................................
2. WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS.........................................................................................................
Sings: ♪Civil War Za Coming..right-a-roun' da bend♫
They took our jobs!!!
Guess I better brush up on my Spanish....ola......
Good luck to the qualifying people applying. Most people here complaining aren't of native american descent and their ancestors came over at a time when visas weren't even required. Our nation was built by immigrants and those that meet the strict requirements listed in this article, should have the chance to become legal and have a path to eventual citizenship. So many immigrants are productive members of our society who have become success stories. It's not about people taking away jobs or people living off our public assistance programs. If anyone has done their homework, they'll see that menial jobs aren't at risk by immigrants. Public assistance is not given to illegals. There's a process to get and it's NOT easy. I'd rather have a hardworking immigrant who obeys the law and appreciates the opportunities our country offers vs. trailer park or ghetto people who take advantage of the system just because they are Americans. Our President made a good choice and those of us who read the various articles with clarity, will quickly understand the benefits. Stop hating and be part of the solution.
spoken like a true non taxpayer
It's not wise to give away what you've worked for, and it's not hate to preserve jobs for out of work Americans.
Correction, Our nation was built by legal immigrants
And we all live with our heads up our ? just as you do. Last time I looked up state assistance it says in plain English "Immigration status not checked" (Ohio)
agree and disagree. Yes most everyone is an immigrant of some sort an those and like you said everyone should have a chance. Well they do. Follow the laws to do so. Which starts on the other side of the border. Not sneak in and then just live here and nothing be done about it while they live off of our tax $'s. Yes I have Native blood. Somewhere down the line back in the 1800's. My sir name has been here sense the 1630's. It wasnt a nation back then so of course there was no immigration law to this land. But there is now so it must be followed not broken.
well so far they broke a real important law.. they came here ILLEGALLY!!! so they goes your theory doesnt it...
Keywords BUILT THIS COUNTRY came here LEGALLY- My Ancestors didnt work the railroad, farm, homestead and DIE to give all people the many FREEDOM's threatened to be removed today because this pompus LIAR who fooled so many of us with his "CHANGE" is single handed destroying our Constitution! He cant even hand to chest infront the Flag he's suppose to represent! Now he is saying so what if you SNUCK in this country common in you can have these jobs even though 18% of LEGAL CITIZENS CANT FIND WORK! Funniest parts the Qualifications "you cant be a criminal"< HUH?? last I knew sneaking into our country was against the law! How many have been using alias or worse stolen Identity which is HUGE I personally work with this ever growing problem its not scammers majority is Illegals using your SS to work! How about the ones with multiple families living together scamming public aid or selling foodstamps very common way to get by on under the table wages.. so common it wont take you long in the hood to find a small store willing to buy your FS or WIC vouchers. These are all crimes.. will this program honestly look into these Illegal persons life and see if they honestly deserve the chance to to be here as would have occured had they applied to come her legally?! Will it be verified they have anything positive to contribute or will they just become even a bigger strain on a already strained economy?
Your argument is totally Flawed! You say our country is BUILT by Immigrants.. correct? For one your half right... My Great Great Grandmother came here from Germany LEGALLY she Married a NATIVE AMERICAN aka original owner of AMERICA! MY family arrived and built on empty land- Our Nations founders didnt get welfare, foodstamps, free housing, cell phones, free schooling! Now days heck in America Santa claus is real if your poor no problem sign em up for free gifts! Our Ancestors died building this country what have these illegals done to Build make better America? Keyword being ILLEGAL- this program isnt free its just another thing Us Legal United State American Citizens will foot the bill for!
This country is Built it is now a Country! This isnt a LEGO set where we need more an more illegals coming in changing things! We have a strong structure which is clearly why so many Illegals want to be here! STOP TRYING TO CHANGE WHAT ATTRACTS YOU HERE OR YOU WILL DESTROY AMERICA AND MIGHT AS WELL STAY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY because with such corruption and complete disregards to the founders who BUILT this Country it wont be long before a civil war breaks and with 88% of Americans being armed it surely will not be pretty & will not take long before we look just like the home you wanna run from! Wait your turn earn your right to be here like the rest of us AMERICANS have!
Great they can have the 7.67 hr job that i can't get.f^%$#$
Hell, obama failed to obey the law, he himself was not authorized to put this law, or bill into effect, this could only be done by the congress. So once again obama is making up his own rules and laws, and the hell with the constitution. Remember when his term is finally over, he will be living in Kenya and laughing at the citizens of the United states er I mean Northern Mexico for voting him in and letting him get away with impementing all these illegal bills and laws that he has imposed.
Is the INS still on payed summer vacation?
They ALWAY'S are on vay-cay on our dime
I remember seeing a movie(not sure of the name) starring Al Pacino as a cop. If I recall correctly, his department sent out anonymous invitations to wanted criminals to attend a sports gathering that would be handing out free game tickets, memorabilia etc. When all the dumb @ss criminals showed-up and were in attendance...the cops appeared and arrested all of them !!!! If this country (odumba) had any b@lls now would be a real good time to throw a net over all these "illegal" scum bags !!! A vote for Obama...is a vote to grant them immunity ! The End of an Error~1-20-2013
oon as we get all their information...ship all their asses back to wherever they came from...now they can't hide their illegal parents...we can get them all...OH wait Obama needs their votes....maybe we can send Obama out with them..now that would be a win - win
Are we still in a Recession, and if so is this what the new food lines look like? I have no problem helping my fellow American's, any color or race but I can't afford to feed, house, cloth and educate the world. Sorry, go home and wait until your turn comes. Those of you that have already received your free education go home and make your country worth living in.
LIFO method--- last in first out . Kick'em to the curb.
"Illegal immigrants line up for chance to stay in America" ...
HEADLINE REWRITE:
"Illegal immigrants line up for free housing vouchers, free transportation vouchers, free food vouchers, free education vouchers, free family services vouchers, free cell phone vouchers, free college tuition vouchers and free citizenship into America"...
Ask any native Californian and they will tell you exactly how they feel about being overrun by illegals. Mexico lost California to the U.S. now they are getting it back. Pretty soon the legal language in southern Calif is going to be Spanish just like areas of southern Florida.The more that come here the more that will follow. Good-by California, welcome back to Mexico. There are hundreds of thousands south of the border waiting to see how this plays out and if it goes their way it's going to look like the Boston Marathon at the border. If we don't wake up and open our eye's this country as we know it is going to disappear in a cloud of south of the border dust.
obama signing anything and everything to get a vote what has he done for the real American people nothing and never will hes not my president never will be slim bucket
If this does not get people to stand up and be counted; nothing will. I have never felt less proud to be American as I do today!
It really is embarrassing.
Now you know how Michelle felt until Barry got elected....
You've gotten most of them in one room....open up with a machine gun...get rid of the illegals...don't waste a ticket back...shovel the remain into garbage bags and dump in a deep hole...THE WHOLE DAMN LOT OF THEM....I'm tired of paying for their kids, clothes, food and all the rest of the @!$%# they buy that us TAX PAYERS have to foot the bill for.
While you're at it...take that black-ass from the Oval Office too!
KPFC & OLIVIA FOREVER:
Both of you are two perfect nincompoops.........birds of a feather........flock together.
Obama is only doing this in hopes the Minority votes will fall in his favor.. but I think hes missing some key points here.. like how many Minoritys own the businesses that pay the under the table wages that will now have to replace with older illegals who do not qualify for Obama's stay or haha Americans who they'll have to actually pay! (doesnt anybody else find it ironic that were already hanging over the ledge of an econmic melt down which will certainly open us to war hopefully later then soon.. Why not keep some young fit illegals indebted around for the front lines?) and hey if hes voted out.. or our countries economic status improves hes left it open for the next president or himself to toss them out and bonus whole families included & way faster then ever now that hes got them finger printed, photo filed & fully documented!
At least my wife WORKED for her CITIZENSHIP and didn't wait around and be lazy waiting to the Government to give a HANDOUT !!
Go for her!
8.3 unemployment and this comes down. What happened to supply and demand? They took our jobs.
Really? And what "jobs" are those? Picking vegetables for 12 hours a day at minimum wage or less and with no benefits? No wait. How about cleaning hotel rooms for 12 hours a day at minimum wage and with no benefits? No wait. How about washing dishes for 15 hours a day at minimum wage or less and with no benefits? No wait. How about working in a sweatshop for 15 hours a day at minimum wage or less and with no benefits? No wait, how about doing drywall, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc for contractors who LOVED hiring them for 12 hours a day at minimum wage or less with no benefits? No wait. How about landscaping for 12 hours a day at minimum wage or less with no benefits? No wait...................................
Yep, no doubt about it. Those nasty illegal immigrants definitely "took our jobs".
I'm retired ,I do not have the Gov. in my pocket. You are the one paying for all of the welfare. Oh, I reconsidered my position , not retired but--- I'm on strike.
Are they handing out sample ballots as well when they sign up with a big ole check mark next to Barack Hussein Obama's name?
wilth a blank wellfare check attached..to be used at your leisure :)
Actually they will have a little note attached which states "For a primer on ignorant and stupid statements with no basis in fact, please see conservative comments #374 and 374.1 on the MSN comment forum under this article.
So much murrica' in here.
Why most of you are thinking about voting for Romney and Ryan now. I hope you aren't planning to be middle class, a student, or elderly in your future.
Maybe I'm reading this incorrectly, but this program doesn't give amnesty. Amnesty -- in the immigration debate vernacular -- implies automatic legal immigrant/citizenship status. As far as I can tell, this isn't the case.
If I had to come up with policy on how to handle the 15 MILLION illegal immigrants currently in the US, it would be a struggle. While tempting to say "Round 'em up!", that would be logistically impossible. How would you locate them, process them, and deport them efficiently? Send them to temporary internment camps to catch the next trainload to Mexico (even if they aren't Mexican?). How prohibitively expensive would that be?
It sounds like this policy doesn't give amnesty, but allows those who were brought here as children (with no say in the matter) the opportunity to AVOID DEPORTATION for two years. No permanent resident status. No citizenship. Very likely, taxes actually collected. Hopefully this sort of program allows these people the opportunity to apply properly through the correct channels, without fear of being separated from their families. Ideally, this sort of thing would be implemented along with stricter border controls, more crackdowns on employers using illegal labor, and foreign policy that helped Mexico and other countries provide opportunities at home for their own people.
All of my ancestors came from Europe, some as recently as the 1920s. For everyone who is third generation European immigrant -- it's disengenuous to say that your grandparents had to come legally. Of course they came legally back then; all you had to do to be 'legal' was get on a boat and when you landed prove that you didn't have tuberculosis or other communicable diseases.
What happened to give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?
We are broke...can't afford it anymore. China owns 40 % of our debt. STOP the bleeding. Please
come legally moron if not keep walking
Midwest...from what I understand the USA still takes in more immigrants than other countries..so our front door is open...it is the back door that needs closed...
I'll tell you what happened Midwesterner--the boat got over crowded and is about ready to capsize. The immigrants of the past didn't come here for handouts at the expense of others.
What happened to the president obeying the law that he swore an oath to?
What part of this EO don't you understand is not legal? This is a job for Congress and they voted it down.
So if Congress votes a bill down, now the president can just go around them with an EO? Careful of the precedence you democrats are setting.
Nice try to you and ProgressiveforAmerica, but trying to get through to these people on here, who probably only read the headline and not the story(their attention span just isn't there), is really just a waste of time. They will come back with their nasty and disgusting comments. It's like some invasive virus has hit this news site. These people have so much anger and hate inside themselves. It's really sad.