The application process is very thorough...
Members of the Deferred Action for Dreamers Coalition are urging applicants to get assistance... or they could become fraud victims, or quite possibly, face deportation.
Camille Cook, Immigration Attorney: "By affirmatively coming forward and submitting this application, you're basically saying to the us government, 'Here I am!'"
It's a risk that members of the Deferred Action Dreamers Coalition say needs to be taken.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is an opportunity for undocumented immigrants to live and work in the United States for two years, supporters say, with little impact to US benefits.
Pedro Ramirez, Will Apply: "We're going to be a revenue booster for the country. We're going to be a deficit relief for the country. The program is self supportive. So we're paying for everything ourselves."
It's $465 to file, and have deportation deferred for at least two years for those who qualify... And that's where it gets sticky...
First of all, this the new rule benefits undocumented immigrants who were brought here when they were under 16.
Other requirements are that they must have lived here for at least five years, are currently in school, graduated or honorably discharged from the military, don't have felony or serious misdemeanor convictions, and are 30 or younger.
Raul Moreno, Fresno St. Migrant Services: "It is very important that the students that qualify overcome the fear factor, especially if they do not have a criminal background."
Here's the rub...
It's a very thorough and complex process, and even the slightest mistake can result in deportation.
But it doesn't seem to be stopping thousands of undocumented immigrants so far.
Mexican consulates across the country were flooded with applicants looking for passports and consular IDs.
Reyna Torres, Fresno Mexican Consul: "We had close to 500 appointments between here and Hanford."
That's an increase of 50% locally.
With these kinds of numbers, immigration attorneys are warning against fraud.
Camille Cook: "Anybody who thinks they're eligible for this program, whoever has had contact with law enforcement should talk to an attorney before they submit they're application."
Attorneys say a decision on each application could take several months, but there is currently no deadline.
But again, applicants need to be thorough, because you can only apply once.
If you need help with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or know someone who does...
We've got a link to the help center right here on our website... Just click on "News Links" above.
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