Jun 18 2012

U.S. to Stop Deportation of Some Young Illegal Immigrants

Last Friday, President Obama announced a new policy that would remove the threat of deportation for young people in the United States who are low enforcement priorities. According to President Obama, “over the next few months, eligible individuals who do not present a risk to national security or public safety will be able to request temporary relief from deportation proceedings and apply for work authorization.”

The executive order the President referred to guides the Department of Homeland Security to cease the deportation of illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. before the age of 16, have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, and are either enrolled in high school, have high school diplomas or are military veterans in good standing. These immigrants must also be under the age of 30 and not have criminal records.

The order, which is similar to the DREAM Act, will allow eligible participants to legally work in the U.S. and obtain driver’s licenses. It lift the threat of deportation for roughly 800,000 illegal immigrants.