President Obama's New Immigration Policy
President Obama's new immigration policy will make about one million undocumented (illegal) young aliens between 15 and 30 yrs. VERY happy. If you are not within that age group, hey, you are out of luck. You better stay in the shadows.
The details of the new policy will certainly woo voters in the coming election. It will also have the opposite impact for others. The new policy begins August 15th. Those who qualify must not have any criminal records, even a drunk driving disqualifies you, but NOT if driving without a license! Go figure.
Applicants must show proof of residence in the USA for at least five years and pay $465. Applications are available from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and will take months before being an applicant is accepted. The program offers a two year renewable exemption from deportation and work permit to those brought into the USA illegally as children. Applicants must also prove that are high school grads from a U.S. school or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military.
This is NOT the Dream Act, but a tweak in the immigration policy to appease mostly Hispanic voters and ignores the fate of 11 million illegal aliens in America. Republicans cry that it is amnesty. Well, for those who qualify under this program, I say, it is about time. This age group are about as American as any other kid graduating from HS or serving in the U.S. military for America. Studies show that mostly Hispanics and Asians will qualify.
California and Texas will gain the most benefit from this new policy. California has about 400,000 in that age group, Texas about 225,000. Also, it is expected that the Department of Homeland Security will receive 3000 applications daily and the agency will need to hire 1400 people.
The policy does NOT given them citizenship or legal permanent residence, but allows them to stay to finish school or college.