USA Today
7:14PM EDT October 12. 2012 - The
Obama administration has granted 4,591 young illegal immigrants a
two-year deportation reprieve under a new program created two months
ago, according to statistics released by the Department of Homeland
Security on Friday.
The administration began receiving
applications for the "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" program in
August, and they have since taken in 179,794 applications, according to
the Department of Homeland Security. They have scheduled 158,408 of
those for biometric appointments, where officials will take applicants'
fingerprints to conduct criminal background checks.
Up to 1.7 million young illegal immigrants could qualify for the program, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.
No
applicants have been officially denied yet. But DHS has sent 1,825
applicants that don't appear to qualify a "Notice of Intent to Deny"
form, which gives them 30 days to provide more evidence or correct
mistakes, or a "Request for Evidence," which gives them 84 days to fill
in gaps in their application.
Under the program, illegal
immigrants brought to the U.S. before their 16th birthday, who are
currently in school, have graduated high school or have served in the
military, and have a clean criminal record can receive a two-year
deferment of their deportation. They can also apply for a work permit
during that period. After the two years, they can reapply for another
two-year deferment.-[Full Article]
