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In June, the federal government announced a rule change that would allow some illegal immigrants to avoid deportation. As WNPRs Lucy Nalpathanchil reports, the date to apply for deferred action is coming up, prompting immigrant rights groups nationwide to get ready.
Congress has yet to pass The Dream Act, a federal law that would allow children brought to this country by their parents to apply for U.S citizenship.
But immigrant rights groups have been pleased with the Obama Administration's deferred action rule. It allows for undocumented immigrants under age 31 to avoid deportation and apply for a work permit as long as they were brought to the U.S before age 16, have lived here for at least five years, and have no criminal record.
Camila Bortoletto, a member of Connecticut Students for A Dream, says at least 9,000 residents in Connecticut will benefit from deferred action. Now, her group is working on making sure the application process goes smoothly.
"There are many notarios and lawyers out there who are looking to take advantage of students with the application. They are looking to make a profit."
August 15 will be the first day the federal government opens up the application for deferred action. Bortoletto says at least nine info sessions have been held around the state to inform immigrants about the process. And later in the month, a clinic will be held to help people actually fill out the application.
"We are in process of planning a large clinic day on August 25 in Stamford. And we're also looking to plan other clinics in Hartford, Danbury, and Bridgeport. And hopefully another clinic in the eastern half of Connecticut."
Bortoletto says immigrant advocates are cautioning applicants that the process will take time. They anticipate a backlog because hundreds of thousands are eligible for deferred action. One estimate is that it could take up to a year for undocumented immigrants to find out if they aren't in danger of being deported.
