The Obama administration outlined specifics Friday about deferred deportation applications for young illegal immigrants.
Last June, President Obama announced that his administration will stop deporting and begin giving work permits to younger illegal immigrants who came to the US as children and have since led law-abiding lives.
Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin processing these requests for deferrals on August 15. Applicants will be charged $465. The fees will be used to pay for additional staff, according to USCIS.
Homeland Security assured potential applicants that the information submitted would not be shared with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement— although the agency reserves the right to take legal action against immigrants with serious criminal histories or deemed security risks.
According to the Detroit Free Press, some congressmen are warning immigrants against predatory attorneys. "Please don't be taken advantage of," said Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. "You don't need an attorney."
Under the guidelines released Friday, illegal immigrants who meet the following requirements qualify:
- Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, and entered the United States before reaching their 16th birthday.
- currently in school, have graduated high school or obtained a certificate of completion or a GED, or are honorably discharged from the U.S. military or the Coast Guard.
- not been convicted of a felony, three or more misdemeanors or one serious misdemeanor, described as either driving under the influence or a range of gun, sex or burglary offenses.