| New Details On Deportation Deferral Program Come To Light |
| Aug-06-2012 |
| Keywords: obama, deportation, deferral, program, details, |
New details of the Obama administrations deportation deferral program in the spotlight after the White House attempted to quietly released the information.
The administration used the tactic of burying the news with a quiet release late Friday. And the details are drawing criticism from Republicans already at odds with the president over his unilateral action to allow up to 1.5 million illegal immigrants remain in the country on work permits.
According to the rules of the program applicant information won't be shared with immigration enforcement except in cases that involve crimes. Applicants will be disqualified for offenses such as drunk driving, but not for driving without a license.
The process, which doesn't offer a path to citizenship, opens on Aug. 15, according to guidelines issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Applicants must provide evidence they have lived in the U.S. for five years and pay a $465 fee. The process is expected to take several months to complete.
The rules announced Friday offer concrete details of the most significant easing of immigration policy since President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to an estimated three million people in 1986.
The new policy, issued as a directive by President Barack Obama, applies to people between the ages of 15 and 30. They must meet certain criteria, including proof they have graduated high school or been discharged honorably from the U.S. military.
The administrations change in policy sidesteps a stalemate in Congress over the Dream Act, draft legislation designed to legalize undocumented young people that has been ensnared in a broader debate about immigration overhaul. Mr. Obama's move was widely regarded as an attempt to energize Hispanic voters disappointed with his failure to deliver on a promise to address the fate of 11 million illegal immigrants who live in the U.S.
Critics say the program is tantamount to an amnesty. Rep. Steve King (R., Iowa), a vocal foe of illegal immigration, accused the president of "legislating by executive edit." In an interview, he said Mr. Obama had shown "contempt for the Constitution and the role of the legislature."
Read the entire story on WSJ.com |
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Posted by Lou Dobbs Staff at 4:00 PM Email to a friend |
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