Thanks to Pres Obama, today is a landmark day for 100s of thousands of young undocumented immigrants

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Today is a landmark day for hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants. They can start applying for temporary work permits under President Barack Obama's deferred action initiative.

Some young undocumented immigrants pushed for the Dream Act, a bill that would have provided a path to citizenship to those who served in the military or attended college. It failed in the Senate in 2010, but many of those who would have been eligible for the Dream Act will qualify for deferred action. It does not offer a path to citizenship, but DREAMers and immigration advocates are hailing the initiative.

What is deferred action for childhood arrivals?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS) begins accepting applications for deferred action from undocumented immigrants who arrived to the United States as children on August 15. That means they'll be considered for a two-year reprieve from deportation and, if approved, for a work permit. It gives these young immigrants a chance to work legally and get a driver’s license.

How many people will this program likely impact?

A non-partisan think tank, the Migration Policy Institute, estimates that 110,000 people in New York State and 70,000 people in New Jersey alone will be eligible. Nation-wide the number may be closer to 1.8 million, according to the institute. USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas said it could take several months to process these applications, although it’s difficult to estimate exactly how long it will take. It depends on the volume of applications in the coming weeks and months . . .

read: http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2012/aug/15/explainer-what-you-should-know-about-deferred-action/


(UPI) -- A deluge of requests was expected Wednesday when 1.2 million undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children could seek a temporary reprieve.

USCIS, which will review the applications, said it expected about 1.2 million applications on top of the 6 million applications it normally adjudicates for citizenship, residency and work visas every year.

Application forms explaining the criteria were posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site at uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals, a United Press International review indicated.

Some advocacy groups estimated more than 1.7 million undocumented children and young adults may be eligible.

read: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/08/15/Deluge-of-immigrant-applications-expected/UPI-36431345014000/


With the start of the program nearing, immigrants have been working on getting their paperwork in order. Tuesday morning, 23-year-old Evelyn Medina, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was in line at that country's consulate in Washington about 6:30 a.m. to secure a passport. With her passport in hand, Medina was all smiles as she walked out of the building just before 2 p.m., saying "finally" as she clutched the document.

Medina said she has been in the United States for about 10 years and is currently a student at a Maryland college, hoping to eventually earn a master's degree and become a social worker.

She wasn't alone. Leonardo Irias Navas, head of the consular section at the Embassy of Honduras, said the number of people applying for passports has more than doubled in the last week.

A decision on each application could take several months, and immigrants have been warned not to leave the country while their application is pending. If they are allowed to stay in the United States and want to travel internationally, they will need to apply for permission to come back into the country, a request that would cost $360 more.

read: http://www.nwherald.com/2012/08/15/dhs-launches-new-immigration-program/aw9p90j/


More than 1.7 million illegal immigrants could become eligible for tentative legal status Wednesday when President Obama’s non-deportation policy goes into effect, and after initial fears that the program would backfire, immigrant advocates are urging young immigrants to sign up.

Activists say the policy is the biggest change on immigration in decades, and it has roiled the political landscape, solidifying Mr. Obama’s support among Hispanics and leaving presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney struggling to say what he would do.

The threat of deportations may still keep some Dreamers from coming forward, particularly since they are unsure of what Mr. Romney will do as president.

But Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who has become Congress‘ leader on the issue, said it would be politically impossible for Mr. Romney to overturn what Mr. Obama has done.

“I think the young people who sign up for deferred action will be politically bulletproof,” he said. “Any future president or secretary of homeland security will have one hell of a fight on their hands if they try to deport this contingent of Dream-eligible youth en masse.”

read: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/14/obama-is-ready-to-sign-up-immigrants/?page=all#pagebreak

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1. landmark fucking day

any DUers out there impacted, involved, or witness to this?

[AtomicKitten]

2. Yes it is.

There are some very grateful kids at my son's school, SFSU.

Thanks for posting this reminder.

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3. thank you so much for sharing that, AtomicKitten

I know folks who are looking to benefit from the executive order, as well. There will be many demonstrations and celebrations today, in recognition of this opportunity afforded by this President. My hope is that the folks impacted will gain, not only a closer tie to our country, but also, gain a deeper recognition and acceptance of their value and worth from more of our countryfolk.

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4. .