IMMIGRATION
other events in major cities to herald the plan that has sparked rejoicing and relief in immigrant communities, and anger among Republicans who view it as a White House ploy for Latino support in an election year and a backdoor amnesty that usurps congressional authority.
The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which will review the applications, is expecting about 1.2 million applications on top of the 6 million applications it normally adjudicates for citizenship, residency and work visas every year, officials said. That’s up from 800,000 expected when Obama announced the plan in June.
Advocacy groups estimate that more than 1.7 million teens and young adults may be eligible. Those granted approval will be given a two-year deferral from deportation and legal authorization to work.
The program offers far fewer benefits than the sweeping DREAM Act, which failed to win approval in Congress in 2010. That legislation, which Obama supported, would have granted legal status to undocumented youths.
Alejandro Mayorkas, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said each application “will be examined for potential fraud and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”
Mayorkas said application forms would be posted at USCIS. gov/ childhoodarrivals, and can be submitted starting Wednesday. He said each application would likely take several months to process.
Under the program, undocumented i mmigrants younger than 31 who came to the United States before the age of 16 are eligible if they are enrolled in school, graduated from high school or served in the U. S. armed forces, and have no criminal record, among other criteria.
Getting a work permit allows an immigrant to obtain a valid Social Security number, apply for a driver’s license, open a bank account and other important benefits.
When he unveiled the plan two months ago, Obama called it “a temporary stopgap measure” rather than a solution to the nation’s immigration morass. Since then, critics have focused on apparent shortcomings in the program, which is officially known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
No new workers have been hired to review the school records, sworn affidavits and other documentation each applicant is required to file. And no funds have been appropriated to pay added processing costs. Officials said the initial budget will be covered by the $465-perapplication fee.
Applicants must mail completed forms and documentation to one of four immigration service centers: in Laguna Niguel, Calif., Dallas, Burlington, Vt., or Lincoln, Neb.
Officials said application fees will be waived in extreme circumstances, such as children living in foster care or in poverty.