Photos: Immigration Reform Program Launched

Posted Aug 15, 2012

WASHINGTON—Young illegal immigrants are scrambling to get passports and other records in order as the Homeland Security Department starts accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get work permits.
Homeland Security announced the details Tuesday of what documents illegal immigrants would need to prove that they are eligible for the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The announcement came a day before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was set to begin letting people apply for the program.
Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants potentially could benefit from the program, which President Barack Obama announced in June. The program is beginning just months before what promises to be a tight contest for the White House in which the Hispanic vote may play an important role.

1 of 45

Karen De Blas, of Chelsea, Mass., center, listens along with other young people during a meeting held to help explain the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program at a youth center, in Chelsea, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. The meeting comes on the day U.S. officials began accepting applications for the federal program. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
2 of 45

Dinorah Mejia, 14, center left, and her mother Raquel Mejia, center right, both of Everett, Mass., examine instructions for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during a meeting at a youth center, in Chelsea, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. The meeting comes on the day U.S. officials began accepting applications for the program. Dinorah said she expected the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to have a large effect on her life. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
3 of 45

Felipe Sousa Rodriguez holds up his paperwork to apply for deferred action, temporary relief from deportation, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Miami. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Emily Michot)
4 of 45

S.W.E.R (Student Working for Equal Rights) supporter, Cynthia Vizcardo, 23, right, speaks with undocumented brothers, Francis, left, and Jorge Tume, both students at Miami Dade College and illegal immigrants from Peru wanting to apply for deferred action, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Miami. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Emily Michot) MAGS OUT
5 of 45

Local illegal immigrants who are applying for the "deferred action" program listen to Diana Morales-Rios, an immigration counselor, as they fill out the applications at the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County headquarters in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Amid warnings that it is not a permanent solution, the federal government launched an immigration relief initiative Wednesday for more than 1.5 million young illegal immigrants who could seek work permits and protection from deportation. (AP Photo/San Jose Mercury News, Dai Sugano) MAGS OUT; NO SALES
6 of 45

A local illegal immigrant fills out an application for the "deferred action" program at the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County headquarters in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Amid warnings that it is not a permanent solution, the federal government launched an immigration relief initiative Wednesday for more than 1.5 million young illegal immigrants who could seek work permits and protection from deportation. (AP Photo/San Jose Mercury News, Dai Sugano)
7 of 45

Local immigrants, who wanted use only their first names, from left, Nelson, Grecia and Claudia, who plan to apply for the "deferred action" program, stand together after speaking at a news conference at the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County headquarters in San Jose, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. The three immigrants wore graduation gowns to symbolize their education and career aspirations. Amid warnings that it is not a permanent solution, the federal government launched an immigration relief initiative Wednesday for more than 1.5 million young illegal immigrants who could seek work permits and protection from deportation. (AP Photo/San Jose Mercury News, Dai Sugano)
8 of 45

Some of the thousands of young immigrants who showed up Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Chicago's Navy Pier for guidance with a new federal program that would help them avoid deportation, applaud during speeches by dignitaries. At least 13,000 people showed up for help in putting together identity documents and filling out the detailed forms on the first day that the federal government began accepting applications, which far exceeded what organizers could handle. The crowd was so large that workshop organizers had to turn some of them away. President Barack Obama in June announced the policy, which will allow young immigrants to get work permits but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Sitthixay Ditthavong)
9 of 45

Brenda Robles, 20, left, and Alexandra De La Cruz, 21, middle, wait with hundreds of young immigrants on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, in Los Angeles, California, as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights launches the application period for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The immigrants were waiting to apply for deferred action that would grant them temporary relief for the opportunity to live in the U.S. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
10 of 45

Alan Valdivia Mejia, left, receives help on his application on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from Ivan Corpeno, right, at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights office in Los Angeles, California. The day marked the launch of the application period for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, who were applying for deferred action that would grant them temporary relief for the opportunity to live in the U.S. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/MCT) CHILA office in Los Angeles, CA August 15, 2012. Alan is part of the first group filling out the application today. Hundreds of young immigrants lined up Wednesday as Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights launch the application period for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
11 of 45

Hundreds of young immigrants line up on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, in Los Angeles, California, as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights launches the application period for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The immigrants were waiting to apply for deferred action that would grant them temporary relief for the opportunity to live in the U.S. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
12 of 45

Itzel Guillen, left, sorts out some of the documents she needs to apply for a work permit along with Lucero Maganda, right, at her home Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in San Diego. Guillen and Maganda are among those hoping for the right to work legally in America without being deported. The Obama Administration’s “Dream Act," or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, could expand the rights of more than 1 million young illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
13 of 45

Buttons distributed to volunteers at Navy Pier during first day of a program to grant deportation deferrals and work permits to young illegal immigrants, in Chicago, Aug. 15, 2012. On Wednesday, Citizenship and Immigration Services officially began to receive applications for the deferrals under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. (Nathan Weber/The New York Times)
14 of 45

Dagmara Lopez, center, with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, talks with undocumented youth that were turned away while waiting to apply for deferred action that would grant them temporary relief for the opportunity to live in the U.S. at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday August 15, 2012. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune/MCT)
15 of 45

Bolivians Gustavo Mariaca(L) and his brother Diego(standing) fill out paperwork under the "Dream Act" August 15, 2012 at the National Immigration Forum in Washington, DC. In June US President Barack Obama announced that hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people known as "Dreamers" could apply for deferred action and work permits in the wake of the historic DHS decision that will protect them from deportation. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GettyImages
16 of 45

Young immigrants, including Gaby Perez, left, line up for guidance from immigration attorney Jose Penalosa, right, with a new federal program, called Deferred Action, that would help them avoid deportation Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Phoenix. The new nationwide program, which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting those applications today, will allow young immigrants to get work permits but not a path to citizenship. The idea was to stop deporting many illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
17 of 45

From left to right, young immigrants, Reyna Montoya, Dulce Vasquez, Diana Rios, and Daniel Rodriguez line up to speak during a news conference to talk about a new federal program, called Deferred Action, that would help them avoid deportation Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Phoenix. The new nationwide program, which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting those applications today, will allow young immigrants to get work permits but not a path to citizenship. The idea was to stop deporting many illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
18 of 45

Young immigrants, along with members of local immigrant organizations, line up for guidance for a new federal program, called Deferred Action, that would help them avoid deportation Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Phoenix. The new nationwide program, which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began accepting those applications today, will allow young immigrants to get work permits but not a path to citizenship. The idea was to stop deporting many illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
19 of 45

Bolivian Diego Mariaca(C), his mother Ingrid Vaca(R) and brother Gustavo Mariaca(L) fill out paperwork under the "Dream Act" August 15, 2012 at the National Immigration Forum in Washington, DC. In June US President Barack Obama announced that hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people known as "Dreamers" could apply for deferred action and work permits in the wake of the historic DHS decision that will protect them from deportation. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GettyImages
20 of 45

Pedro Leon smiles while filing out paperwork to get a workers permit at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA office in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Today was the first day many illegal immigrants could apply to defer deportation and get a work permit under President Barack Obama's recent executive order. (AP Photo/Grant Hindsley)
21 of 45

Ali Peralta, right, Orfa Peralta, center, and Cyndi Ramirez shield themselves from the sun with their immigration deferment papers while waiting outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA office in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Today was the first day many illegal immigrants could apply to defer deportation and get a work permit under President Barack Obama's recent executive order. (AP Photo/Grant Hindsley)
22 of 45

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15: Mitzi Pena, 19, (R) her sister Yaretzi Pena, 5, and her cousin Karina Terriquez, 20, (L) wait in line to receive assitance in filing up their application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program at Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Under a new program established by the Obama administration undocumented youth who qualify for the program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can file applications from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
23 of 45

Iliana Estrada of Chicago looks over her paperwork as she waits to head into the Dream Relief workshop to apply for work permits and deportation deferrals at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Wednesday marks the first day that the federal government will accept applications for two-year deferrals for undocumented immigrants under 31 years old. (Heather Charles/Chicago Tribune/MCT)
24 of 45

Students hold a rally to encourage young illegal immigrants to apply for new federal program aimed at allowing them to stay in the country at the University of New Mexico Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Albuquerque. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras)
25 of 45

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15: Hundreds of people line up around the block from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles offices to apply for deportation reprieve on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Under a new program established by the Obama administration undocumented youth who qualify for the program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can file applications from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
26 of 45

A worker with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights shouts instructions to a long line of young immigrants standing outside Chicago's Navy Pier on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, waiting for guidance with a new federal program that would help them avoid deportation. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order, as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit, but not a path to citizenship. President Barack Obama announced the program in June after pressure from Hispanic voters and others who said he hasn't fulfilled a campaign promise to overhaul tangled U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Sitthixay Ditthavong)
27 of 45

This image provided by Bupendra Ram shows Ram demonstrating outside the federal building in the Fall of 2011 in Los Angeles. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order, as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit, but not a path to citizenship. President Barack Obama announced the program in June after pressure from Hispanic voters and others who said he hasn't fulfilled a campaign promise to overhaul tangled U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Bupendra Ram)
28 of 45

Laura Ayala, 23, left, and her sister Esmeralda, 15, second from left, with others in line outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights offices to get information or make appoints to apply for deportation deferment program, in Los Angeles, Aug. 15, 2012. On Wednesday, Citizenship and Immigration Services officially began to receive applications for the deferrals under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. (Monica Almeida/The New York Times)
29 of 45

People in line outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights offices to get information or make appoints to apply for deportation deferment program, in Los Angeles, Aug. 15, 2012. On Wednesday, Citizenship and Immigration Services officially began to receive applications for the deferrals under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. (Monica Almeida/The New York Times)
30 of 45

Children stand in line with some of the thousands of young immigrants at Chicago's Navy Pier on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, waiting for guidance with a new federal program that would help them work legally in the United States and avoid deportation. At least 11,000 people showed up for the workshop led by immigrant rights advocates for help in putting together identity documents and filling out the detailed forms on the first day that the federal government began accepting applications. (AP Photo/Sitthixay Ditthavong)
31 of 45

Illegal immigrant Layios Roberto waits outside the offices of Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order, as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit, but not a path to citizenship. President Barack Obama announced the program in June after pressure from Hispanic voters and others who said he hasn't fulfilled a campaign promise to overhaul tangled U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
32 of 45

Applicants get in line to register with Casa de Maryland before they can apply this afternoon for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit _ but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
33 of 45

Applicant Laura Sanchez, from Mexico, left, fills the Casa de Maryland registration form, with help of her sister Nancy, before they can apply this afternoon for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit _ but not a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
34 of 45

People fill the hall of St. Mary's Church attending an orientation workshop and legal clinic for potential deferred action applicants, on New York's Lower East Side, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order Wednesday as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit under a new government program. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
35 of 45

People fill out paperwork for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, August 15, 2012. The U.S. government began accepting applications on Wednesday from young illegal immigrants seeking temporary legal status under relaxed deportation rules announced by the Obama administration in June.REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn
36 of 45

People wait in line to see immigration advocates and take workshops that will help them fill out forms and get documents ready to apply for deportation deferrals and work permits, near the Navy Pier in Chicago, Aug. 15, 2012. On Wednesday, Citizenship and Immigration Services officially began to receive applications for the deferrals under the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. (Nathan Weber/The New York Times)
37 of 45

A line of legal immigrants wait outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles offices Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order, as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit, but not a path to citizenship. President Barack Obama announced the program in June after pressure from Hispanic voters and others who said he hasn't fulfilled a campaign promise to overhaul tangled U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
38 of 45

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15: Hundreds of people line up around the block from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles offices to apply for deportation reprieve on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Under a new program established by the Obama administration undocumented youth who qualify for the program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can file applications from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
39 of 45

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15: Brenda Robles, 20, (R) holds her high school diploma as she waits in line with her friends at at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles offices to apply for deportation reprieve on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Under a new program established by the Obama administration undocumented youth who qualify for the program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can file applications from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
40 of 45

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 15: Hundreds of people line up around the block from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles offices to apply for deportation reprieve on August 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Under a new program established by the Obama administration undocumented youth who qualify for the program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can file applications from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to avoid deportation and obtain the right to work (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
41 of 45

Illegal immigrant Mayra Chavarria holds her high school diploma while waiting outside the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles offices Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants scrambled to get papers in order, as the U.S. started accepting applications to allow them to avoid deportation and get a work permit, but not a path to citizenship. President Barack Obama announced the program in June after pressure from Hispanic voters and others who said he hasn't fulfilled a campaign promise to overhaul tangled U.S. immigration laws. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
42 of 45

Immigrants Daniel Nino, left, with his mother Patricia Cara from Colombia, get help with documents and filling with the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals applications at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md., on Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up hoping for the right to work legally in America without being deported. The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could expand the rights of more than 1 million young illegal immigrants by giving them work permits, though they would not obtain legal residency here or a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
43 of 45

Hundreds of immigrants line outside of Casa de Maryland to get help with documents and filling for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals applications at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md., on Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up hoping for the right to work legally in America without being deported. The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could expand the rights of more than 1 million young illegal immigrants by giving them work permits, though they would not obtain legal residency here or a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
44 of 45

Immigrant Angel Eduardo Aguiluz, left, from Honduras, get help with documents and filling for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals applications at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md., on Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up hoping for the right to work legally in America without being deported. The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could expand the rights of more than 1 million young illegal immigrants by giving them work permits, though they would not obtain legal residency here or a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
45 of 45

Director of Casa de Maryland Gustavo Torres speaks to a hundreds of young immigrants waiting outside of Casa de Maryland to get help with documents and filling for the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals applications at Casa de Maryland in Langley Park, Md., on Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Thousands of young illegal immigrants lined up hoping for the right to work legally in America without being deported. The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could expand the rights of more than 1 million young illegal immigrants by giving them work permits, though they would not obtain legal residency here or a path to citizenship. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)