Starting Wednesday, some illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children are eligible to apply for a new deferred action program.
"Deferred action for childhood arrivals" allows people who meet specific criteria to apply for a two-year period where they will be considered a low priority for enforcement of immigration laws.
David Martin, a law professor at the University of Virginia stated, "They can get something called deferred action that is not exactly a full legal status, but it allows someone to remain. It indicates that the government has decided that they are a low priority, not somebody they want to enforce the law against, they can stay here and they can apply for work authorization as well."
Some immigrants may be leery of the program because it only lasts for two years with no guarantee of renewal.
Click here for complete details on the eligibility requirements.
