How Does The New Immigration Program Work?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been a busy week at the immigration centers, now that the federal government is offering a delay in deportation for certain young illegal immigrants.
Staff at the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota in St. Paul spent the last few months getting prepared for the program to start. The program kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 15.
The initiative, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, will make young people eligible for work permits, Social Security cards and driver's licenses.
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"It's an open acknowledgement by immigration that we know you're here," said John Keller, executive director of ILCM. "We're asking you to register, but we're also going to give you the ability to work while you're here."
Keller says the program is designed to help young illegal immigrants who spent the majority of their lives in the United States. They're also people who see their future in this country.
Here are the qualifications for the program:
- Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
- Came to the U.S. before reaching 16th birthday
- Continued residence in the U.S. from June 15, 2007 to present .
- Physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012 and at the time of making request for consideration.
- Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012 or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012.
- Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, or GED certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.
- Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
- Applicant's fee is $465.
"The immigration service is going to decide these cases," Keller said. "They're going to be looking for fraud. They're going to be examining all the criteria. Everyone has to pass a background check and make sure that there is nothing that disqualifies them."
Once approved, immigrants will have two years of protection from the date they're approved.
In Minnesota, Keller says the program could help 2,500 to 4,000 young adults. Nationwide, up to 1.7 million young illegal immigrants could apply for the two-year reprieve.
Keller added the policy change is not a permanent solution for undocumented youth who qualify, but it is "peace of mind." And the Obama administration emphasizes the program is not a pathway to citizenship.
"As flimsy or unpredictable as this two year period of protection is for a lot of people, they see this as a dream come true," Keller said. "They have the opportunity to finally have someone recognize that they're here, they're human beings, and that they have something to contribute to Minnesota."
