San
Luis Obispo -- With the presidential election looming thousands of undocumented
young people are applying for the Obama administration's new Deferred Action
program that allows them to avoid deportation and legally work in the United
States, at least temporarily. Many people are concerned this program won't last
long because Governor Mitt Romney has stated he will discontinue Deferred
Action if he is elected.
About
180-thousand people have applied nationwide since the program started in June,
but so far only about 4,500 have been approved.
Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA allows someone who meets certain
criteria, such as being 31 or younger, coming to the US before age 16, and a
clean record, to avoid deportation for two years and get a temporary permit to
work.
Terrie
Iacino with Catholic Charities says, "These young people will come out of the
shadows now, finish school, stay in school, get a work permit, build their
lives here, for us this a sign of hope."
Some
are concerned that young people applying for Deferred Action may only get
temporary help. Local business woman and advocate CC Todd is worried about what
may happen in the future. Todd says, "In a couple years when the election
happens or whatever happens they're going to know where to find them, anyone
who signed up for this." Todd runs a non-profit organization called Fresh Start
and has helped 220 people get citizenship.
Both
Todd and Catholic Charities are concerned young people eager to get approved
for Deferred Action may become victims, paying extra unnecessary fees to
services promising to fast-track their applications.
Catholic
Charities is holding workshops across the Central Coast to help people through
the process.
