(PNS reporting from CHICAGO) Hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children are applying today for a deportation reprieve under a new program established by the Obama administration.
DREAMers will receive a two-year deferment of deportation proceedings. If approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, those DREAMers can also apply for a work permit and later reapply for another deportation deferment.
Some of the details of the program are still being ironed out. Eliseo Medrano of Aurora, who was lined up (photo, left) at the Chicago FCIS Office said, “I didn’t know there was going to be a talent portion to the application today. I suppose I can sing “Volver” or something.”
Federal officials are requiring applicants to pay $456 fee and submit proof they have no valid immigration status; entered the United States before age 16; were 30 or younger as of June 15, 2012; have lived continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007.
Applicants will be asked for various types of proof they have been upright demi-citizens in the U.S. for some time, including:
- The name of a favorite Morrissey song
- A sworn statement that you are not, have not, and will not ever play tuba in a banda group
- Proper form of ID, including a Dora the Explorer Fan Club membership card, or a CSUN MEChA flier
- Proven abiity to text or use social media while ignoring others in the same room with you
