Watch CBS News

Thousands Of LA Residents Begin Application Process For Deferred Deportation Program

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Immigration authorities expect more than 1.2 million young immigrants will start applying for a Deferred Action program on Wednesday, which will allow the children of undocumented workers to live in the U.S. without fear of deportation for the next two years.

The Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process, which is part of an Executive Order issued by President Barack Obama, doesn't apply to all immigrant children.

To qualify, applicants must have come to the U.S. when they were under 16, and they must have continuously lived in the country for the past five years.

They have to be in school or have a high school or equivalent diploma, or be a veteran with an honorary discharge.

They must have no felony convictions or significant misdemeanors on their record.

Applicants must also be under the age of 31.

KNX 1070's John Brooks reports Brenda Robles came to this country when she was a baby, but now she's 20 and needs documentation.

Podcast

"I was brought here when I was one-year-old . . .I don't have papers, I can't work or anything. I just babysit," said Robles.

Application forms are available online and can be submitted at the following Los Angeles-area locations:

Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
2845 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
(213) 385-7800
Processing fee: $150

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
2533 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 353-1333, no appointment necessary
Processing fee: Consultation, Free. Processing is $40 for members, $80 for non-members

Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
1055 West Seventh Street, Ste. 2700
Los Angeles, CA 90017-2577
(213) 485-1872, no appointment required
Processing fee: $20 consultation, $150 for processing

Public Counsel Law Center
610 South Ardmore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm - 5:15 pm
(213) 385-2977, appointment required
Processing fee: $40 consultation, $110 for processing

Applications are expected to take several months to process, and its progress can be followed online.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.