SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
As many as 1.7 million illegal immigrants are now eligible to apply to live, and work, in the U.S. without fear of being deported for the next two years. It's all part of a new federal policy that started Wednesday.
It applies to those:
-Who were brought to the U.S. when they were under 16.
-Have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years.
-Are in school, graduated, or were honorably discharged from the military.
-Don't have felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
-Are 30 or younger.
If they qualify, and pay $465, applicants can defer deportation for at least 2 years, longer if they re-apply.
President Obama announced the policy in June, after the Dream Act failed to pass.
"It makes no sense to expel talented young people who for all intents and purposes are Americans," Obama said in June.
Immigration attorneys say the program doesn't make applicants full citizens with voting rights, rather something else...
"They get put into a protective category that keeps them for a period of two years, from being deported and gives them the legal right to work," said Attorney Heidi Oligmueller.
Oligmueller works at Sioux City's Mary Treglia Community House, which helps immigrants assimilate. Here they have 55 people ready to apply. Nationally, she says they're expecting a huge number of submissions.
"It's estimated 3,000 applications, nationwide, per day," said Oligmueller.
The program is getting rave reviews from supporters in Siouxland.
"It's an avenue for so many young people that only know the United States as there home," said Sister Shirley Fineran, who volunteers time to help immigrants.
Critics call the policy an unconstitutional move by the president. Republican Congressman Steve King, of Iowa, says he's suing...
"Bringing a lawsuit against The President of the United States for his lawless action. The audacity that he has, that he can write law from the Oval Office," said King.
King says the policy is a part of presidential agenda to "divide Americans" and "bundle-up grievance groups" to gain votes.
"This is un-American to do this. Americans need to be about unity, about pulling together, about the rule of law. And the president is undermining all of those things for his own political gains," said King.
Officials say there's been some concern about how applicants' information will be used. Immigration attorneys say it will not be shared for the purpose of removal from the U.S. But, they say information could be given to law enforcement, if applicants are involved in criminal activity.
For more information, here's a link to the government's webpage.
Folks gather in front of the White House.
